By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said Wednesday that the proposed MRT Blue Line has been included in the city’s overall planning, while suggested links to Fongshan Railway Station (鳳山車站) and other MRT corridors will be reviewed as part of a feasibility assessment.
Chen made the comments during a city council session in response to questions about transportation and development issues in Fongshan District (鳳山區).
On Fongsiang Park, Chen said the city would take a long-term approach to improving the area. He said short-term work would begin with environmental cleanup and priority budget allocations, while the city has also set aside NT$20 million this year for a more detailed investigation.
Councilors also raised questions about the Sky Fongcheng project and surrounding development. Chen said the project is led by the Taiwan Railways Administration and is not a city government contract. However, he said the city still has a responsibility to improve surrounding traffic routes and supporting facilities, and would begin with improvements to nearby pedestrian paths.
With the nearby Mitsui LaLaport expected to be completed soon, councilors also asked about traffic flow and road planning in the area. Chen said the mall’s opening period is expected to draw large crowds, and the city would conduct a broader review of road layouts, traffic signals, and circulation routes.
The Transportation Bureau said the operator is expected to submit a formal traffic plan on June 1, and that the city would require the plan to be fully implemented.
Councilors also urged the city to strengthen pedestrian-first traffic measures, citing Tainan’s trial use of smart crosswalks as an example of how technology could help reduce accident risks.
