By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung’s rebuilt Jiuru Bridge (九如橋) opened to traffic at 11 a.m. Friday, after the city replaced controversial red railings that some residents said resembled Japanese torii gates. See UDN video HERE.
The bridge connects Sanmin District (三民) with the Neiwei (內惟) area of Gushan District (鼓山), restoring a key route across the Love River (愛河) after the old Jiuru overpass was demolished in August 2024.
The city had originally planned to finish the project by the end of this year, but pushed for completion by the end of July to reduce the impact on traffic in the surrounding area.
The bridge became the focus of online criticism shortly before opening because of its red railings, which some people said looked like the torii gates used at Japanese shrines.
The Public Works Bureau changed the railings to white and added a second layer of protection before the bridge opened.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said Thursday the original railings were “ugly” and embarrassing, but said the bridge’s construction quality and safety met standards.
Chen said the city would continue making adjustments and should accept public criticism of public works projects.
The city government did not hold an official opening ceremony. Residents and city councilor Lee Chiao-ju (李喬如) instead held their own event, setting off firecrackers and releasing pink balloons to mark the opening.
Gushan Housheng Borough (厚生里) chief Ou Ruei-cing (歐瑞清) said the bridge opening was important for residents, despite the railing “controversy”.
Ou said safety and convenience were the main concerns for local people, and that residents would continue asking councilors and the city government for improvements if problems appear after opening.
Lee said the old bridge had served the area for about 50 years, and the new bridge would be expected to serve residents for decades.
Traffic began using the bridge shortly after it opened, with some residents walking across and taking photos to mark the reopening.
