Jhongshan Road Upgrade Delivers Smoother Ride Through Central Kaohsiung

By Eryk Michael Smith – NOTE: I am using the city’s official pinyin — under protest 🙂

KAOHSIUNG — A major resurfacing project along Jhongshan Road (中山路), one of southern Kaohsiung’s busiest transport corridors, is delivering noticeable improvements for drivers and pedestrians alike, according to the city’s Public Works Bureau.

The upgrade covers nearly 60,000 square meters of roadway along Jhongshan First and Second roads, between Sanduo 3rd Road (三多三路) and Jhongzheng 3rd Road (中正三路), spanning parts of Sinsing and Lingya districts. The project used modified asphalt combined with basic oxygen furnace slag, a more durable material designed to withstand heavy traffic better and extend pavement life.

Such road repairs are being seen in many places in the city, including along Bo-Ai 3rd and 4th Roads. The quality of the work and levelness of the new streets is a welcome change from previous, less satisfactory road repair efforts.

Public Works Bureau Director Yang Chin-fu said construction on Jhongshan Rd. was carried out in stages during nighttime hours to reduce disruption, particularly through busy areas including the Sanduo shopping district, Central Park, the New Jyuejiang commercial zone, and the Formosa Boulevard area. Road markings were also adjusted, with clearer lane separation and added left-turn lanes to improve traffic flow and safety.

The city said the NT$32 million project received funding support from the Ministry of the Interior’s National Land Management Agency. Officials added that further pedestrian-focused improvements are planned along Jhongshan First Road, aimed at improving sidewalks, accessibility, lighting, and landscaping near the new Kaohsiung railway station.

Source: Liberty Times