Shengji Tunnel to biotechnology park opens in Taipei — Taipei Times

In Taipei, Taiwan, the Shengji Tunnel has opened, connecting Zhongxiao East Road with the access road to the National Biotechnology Research Park in Nangang District. The new route is intended to reduce rush-hour congestion on Section 7 of Zhongxiao East Road and Academia Road, as well as shorten travel time between Nangang and Xizhi District in neighboring New Taipei.

As Taipei Times reports, an opening ceremony for the tunnel was held in the morning. Deputy Interior Minister Wu Tang-an said that the development of the research park had contributed to increased business activity and employment in Nangang, raising the need for transport infrastructure.

Connection to Nangang stations

The new route removes a transport bottleneck between Section 7 of Zhongxiao East Road and Lane 130 of Section 1 of Academia Road. It connects the biotechnology park with Nangang stations of the Taiwan Railways and Taipei Metro, as well as nearby residential areas.

According to Academia Sinica, the route is approximately 824 meters long, with about 716 meters running through the tunnel. Travel between the research park and the Nangang Station area during rush hour is expected to be reduced from about 15–20 minutes to less than 10 minutes.

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Cost and purpose of the tunnel

The tunnel’s construction was financed by Taiwan’s central government. It cost NT$1.878 billion, or about US$59.07 million.

The tunnel is also intended to serve as an alternative route if Academia Road is closed due to flooding or other emergencies. It has a separate path for pedestrians and cyclists.

The 14.19-hectare park opened in October 2018. More than 2,600 researchers and other specialists work there; institutions in the park include Academia Sinica’s Translational Biomedical Research Center and the Food and Drug Administration.