By KHT Staff. Proposed Pingtung extension for THSR. (MOTC Railway Bureau image)
KAOHSIUNG — Taiwan’s high-speed rail network could reach Pingtung by 2039 under a government-approved extension plan now moving through the environmental review process.
The Executive Yuan approved the project at the end of last year. Local media have reported that the review could take about three years, followed by roughly 11 years of construction if the project stays on schedule.
Construction is expected to involve the excavation and transport of about 4.84 million cubic meters of soil. Authorities say the work would be carried out in phases to reduce the impact on traffic, air quality, and nearby communities.
The Taiwan High-Speed Rail has been operating for over 18 years. The line originally ran between Taipei and Zuoying (左營), with later station additions in Miaoli (苗栗), Changhua (彰化), Yunlin (雲林), and Nangang (南港), bringing the total to 12 stations.
The planned extension would run 26.2 kilometers south from Zuoying Station through Kaohsiung and into Liukuaicuo (六塊厝) in Pingtung. Most of the route would be built using shield tunneling, with other sections using cut-and-cover tunnels and elevated structures.
The Kaohsiung Station section would be built underground and connected with Taiwan Railways and the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line. The planned Pingtung station would be built on land formerly used by the Taiwan Sugar Corp. in Liukuaicuo and integrated with the existing TRA Liukuaicuo Station. A maintenance base is also planned as part of the project.
