New road seen as essential artery as new tech companies move into northern parts of the city
KAOHSIUNG, — Construction of the southern section of Kaohsiung’s New Provincial Highway 17 (新台十七線) is moving ahead, and officials said the project will help ease congestion along the old Provincial Highway 17 (舊台十七線) once completed.
The city’s Public Works Bureau (高市工務局) said the southern section is being built in three phases, with the first 1.8-kilometer segment from Demin Road (德民路) to Zhonghai Road (中海路) now 49% complete as of mid-September. The Liberty Times reports that this phase, which also includes drainage and retaining wall foundation works, is scheduled to open to traffic in October 2026.
The second phase runs 2.8 kilometers from Zhonghai Road (中海路) to Bisheng Road (必勝路). Work includes road and drainage construction, with progress now at 20%. Completion is targeted for December 2026. A second contract covering military road conversions within naval bases will begin once defense facilities are ready.
The third and final phase stretches 600 meters from Bisheng Road (必勝路) to the Nanmen traffic circle (南門圓環). That contract has been awarded, with construction expected to begin in late October and finish by December 2025.
The full New Highway 17 spans 7.1 kilometers from Dianzang Road (典昌路) in Qiaotou District (橋頭區) to the Nanmen Circle (南門圓環) in Zuoying District (左營區). Total costs exceed NT$4.6 billion (US$142 million). The 2.1-kilometer northern section opened in June 2022.
Many drivers say they look forward to its opening, which will offer an alternative route between Kaohsiung’s coastal areas and the urban core, reducing pressure on the frequently congested old Highway 17.