By Eryk Michael Smith / Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Environmental groups in Kaohsiung are raising concerns that construction of the city’s Metro Yellow Line could destroy more than five kilometers of mature tree-lined boulevards. City officials, however, say mitigation and restoration plans are in place.
On Tuesday, representatives from the Forest City Association (森林城市協會) said the project has already caused extensive damage to green corridors along parts of Chengcing Road and Dapi Road.
Spokespeople for civic groups said that 5,800 meters of tree-lined roadway along those routes have already been fully cleared due to construction. They warned that additional sections along Minzu Road, Minsheng Road, Minchuan Road, Guotai Road, and Nanjing Road could be affected, totaling about 5,023 meters in length and impacting roughly 30 hectares of green space. Along one stretch of Minzu Road alone, construction could affect 372 trees, many of them more than 40 years old, environmental groups said.
The Liberty Times reports that environmental groups argue that, because much of the project involves underground shield tunneling, tree removal outside station areas should be largely avoidable. They cited earlier projects, including the Kaohsiung Light Rail, as examples where transit construction and tree preservation coexisted.
In response, the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Bureau (高雄市政府捷運工程局) said that Yellow Line stations and entrances require cut-and-cover construction, making surface-level work unavoidable in certain areas. The bureau said it is following the principle of balancing infrastructure development with environmental protection.
According to the bureau, trees within construction zones are assessed by specialists based on health, structure, and surrounding conditions. Trees that do not compromise safety will be preserved on-site where possible, while others will be transplanted under coordinated plans with the city’s Parks Department.
