By KHT Staff. Image via Liberty Times.
KAOHSIUNG — Construction crews have begun removing underground foundation piles left from the former Zihciang Overpass (自強陸橋) in Fongshan District (鳳山區), as work continues on the Kaohsiung MRT Yellow Line.
The Yellow Line will include four underground stations along Chengcing Road (澄清路) in Fongshan.
The city said the section between Y16 Baoye Detention Pond Station (寶業里滯洪池站) in Sanmin District (三民區) and Y17 Fongshan Administrative Center Station (鳳山行政中心站) is affected by foundations left from the old overpass, which once carried Chengcing Road over Taiwan Railways tracks.
The surface structure of the overpass was removed after the railway was moved underground, allowing ground-level traffic to resume. However, underground bridge columns and foundation piles remain and now obstruct Yellow Line tunneling work, officials said.
The city said crews will use casing equipment to cut and pull out the old piles, a method intended to reduce noise, vibration, and dust.
This year, workers will remove the piles on the east side of the former overpass while also building the east-side diaphragm wall for Y17 station.
Next year, crews are expected to remove the west-side piles and build the station’s west-side diaphragm wall.
The city also plans to build an underground passage linking Taiwan Railways’ Zhengyi Station (正義車站) with Y17 station, allowing passengers to transfer between TRA and the MRT.
After the diaphragm walls for Y17 are completed, excavation for the station structure is expected to begin in 2028.
The city said traffic controls will be carried out in three stages during the work. Road surfaces will also be leveled to help maintain safety for drivers and pedestrians.
