The Hsuehshan Tunnel (Chinese: 雪山隧道; pinyin: Xuěshān Suìdào) is the longest tunnel in Taiwan, located on the National Freeway 5. It opened on June 16, 2006.
 Hsuehshan Tunnel East Entrance | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Taiwan |
| Coordinates | North Entrance: 24°56′18.96″N 121°42′54″E / 24.9386000°N 121.71500°E South Entrance: 24°50′52.08″N 121°47′27.6″E / 24.8478000°N 121.791000°E |
| Status | Active |
| Start | Pinglin District, New Taipei City |
| End | Toucheng Township, Yilan County |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | July 1991 |
| Opened | June 16, 2006 |
| Operator | Freeway Bureau |
| Traffic | Road tunnel |
| Technical | |
| Length | 12.941 km (8.041 mi) |
| No. of lanes | 4 |
| Operating speed | 70 to 90 km/h |
| Highest elevation | 208 m (682 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 44 m (144 ft) |
| Hsuehshan Tunnel | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 雪山隧道 | ||||||||||
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Overview
editThe tunnels are bored through the Hsuehshan Range. The road connects Taipei through New Taipei to Yilan County,[1] cutting down the journey time from two hours to just half an hour.[2] It bypasses the rural district of Pinglin, which used to receive high traffic prior to the completion of the tunnel. One of the key aims of constructing the tunnel was to connect the western coast of Taiwan, where 95% of the population lives, to the eastern coast of the island and in doing so tackle the unbalanced development on the island.[1] It is constructed with one pilot tunnel and two main tunnels for eastbound and westbound traffic. The total length is 12.942 km (8.042 mi), making the Hsuehshan Tunnel the ninth longest road tunnel in the world (fifth at the time of opening) and sixth longest in East Asia. The tunnel opened in June 2006 to severe traffic jams.[3]
Tunnel Construction
editTunnel construction began in July 1991 and took 15 years to complete and cost a total of NT$90.6 billion (US$2.83 billion).[4][5] Tunnel construction used 370,000 m3 (13,000,000 cu ft) of concrete, 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) of cables, and 2,000 lighting units.[5]
While excavating the tunnel, engineers encountered difficult geological problems such as fractured rock and massive inflows of water, which caused severe delays. One of the three TBMs on the westbound tunnel was buried by a ground collapse. In order to speed up the tunnel boring, an additional working interface in Interchange Station No. 2 (under Ventilation Shaft No. 2) was built. Along the tunnel alignment, there are six major faults, ninety-eight fracture zones, and thirty six high-pressure groundwater sources. Hence, serious tunnel collapses with groundwater flooding took place periodically during tunnel construction. Altogether, 25 people died during 15 years of construction.[6]
Operations
editWhen traveling through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, vehicles must not exceed the 90 km/h (56 mph) limit; otherwise the drivers face a NT$3,000 (US$93.75) to NT$6,000 (US$187.5) fine.[7] The usual minimum speed limit is 70 km/h. Additionally vehicles must maintain a separation distance of 50 m (164 ft) under normal situations. Even when the speed is less than 20 km/h (12 mph) due to congestion, a separation distance of 20 m (66 ft) must still be maintained.[8] Double solid lines prohibit lane changes. Automated road-rule enforcement cameras are used to monitor speeders, tailgaters, and those who unlawfully change lanes. Announcements of zero tolerance of speeding meant that those traveling at 71 km/h would be fined. After creating controversies,[9] effective 00:00 (UTC+8) on September 16, 2006, a tolerance of 10 km/h has been allowed so speeds up to 80 km/h are no longer automatically penalized.[10]
As of Nov 1, 2010, the speed limit was raised to 90 km/h to allievate traffic.[11]
Tunnel information
edit- Tunnel length:
- Pilot tunnel: 12,941 m (8.041 mi; 42,457.349 ft)
- Main tunnels:
- Southbound tunnel: 12,917 m (8.026 mi; 42,378.609 ft)
- Northbound tunnel: 12,942 m (8.042 mi; 42,460.630 ft)
- Constructed by: RSEA
- Design speed: 70 km/h (Operational speed limit was raised to 90 km/h)
- Location: Pinglin District, New Taipei City and Toucheng Township, Yilan County
- Ventilation shaft: 3
- Total cost: NT$18,555,000,000 (US$562,273,000)
- Date of groundbreaking:
- Pilot tunnel: July 1991
- Main tunnels: July 23, 1993
- Date of breakthrough:
- Pilot tunnel: October 2003
- Main tunnels:
- Southbound tunnel: September 2004
- Northbound tunnel: April 2004
- Date of opening: June 16, 2006
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Asia's longest road tunnel opens". BBC News. 2006-06-16. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ "Tunnel a testament to persistence". Taipei Times. 2006-06-22. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ "Hsuehshan tunnel proves popular with motorists". Taipei Times. 2006-06-18. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ "Discovery to air documentary on Hsuehshan Tunnel". Taipei Times. 2006-08-19. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ a b "Tunnel opening draws eager crowds". Taipei Times. 2006-06-17. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ "Traffic flows smoothly through Hsuehshan Tunnel (updated 12:39 a.m.)". The China Post. 2006-06-17. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ "Media test tunnel's emergency systems". Taipei Times. 2006-06-12. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ "元氣網 | 聯合新聞網". 元氣網.
- ^ 雪山隧道超速1公里罰3000元 民眾破口大罵強盜政府. PChome Online (in Chinese). 12 June 2006. Archived from the original on 5 September 2006. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "經緯國際媒體有限公司 | Asia Bike Media(ABM) – Bike Media".
- ^ "Increase in speed limit alleviates traffic: NFB - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. December 8, 2010.
External links
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