(Central News Agency reporter Gao Huaqian, New Taipei, 24th) New Taipei City Mayor Hou Youyi pointed out today that the New Taipei MRT circular line affected by the strong earthquake is expected to take at least more than a year to repair, and the two MRTs will face it together. The New Taipei City Rapid Transit Bureau stated that a total of 11 steel box beams were displaced and the entire line was reopened to traffic only after ensuring safety.
A strong earthquake off the coast of Hualien on the 3rd caused dislocation of steel box beams and track deformation of the New Taipei MRT circular line plate from the new station to the bridge and between stations.Currently, only Phase 1 (Banqiao-New Taipei Industrial Park) and Phase 2 (Zhonghe-Dapinglin) are partially open to traffic in both directions. Phase 3 (Zhonghe-Banqiao) is still suspended, and buses will be used to divert people.
The New Taipei City Council held a regular meeting of the mayor’s policy address this afternoon. New Taipei City Councilor Zhang Weiqian of the Democratic Progressive Party questioned the repair schedule of the Ring Line. Hou Youyi responded that it cannot be repaired this year and it is estimated that it will take at least one year.
New Taipei City Councilor Dai Weishan of the Democratic Progressive Party asked whether the responsibility has been clarified and whether a restoration plan can be proposed in a timely manner.
Hou Youyi responded, “The ring line is really serious.” Whether it is the design, construction or other issues are still being clarified and the responsibility cannot be solved so quickly. Moreover, the earthquake intensity at the time of neutralization was “strong 5”, so the ring line should be earthquake-resistant. The speed should reach at least the “6 weak” target. Experts and scholars are currently discussing a repair plan and hope to propose it as soon as possible.
After the meeting, New Taipei City MRT Director Li Zheng’an added through a press release that a strong earthquake occurred in Hualien on the 3rd. The maximum earthquake intensity measured near Jisui Elementary School in New Taipei City was “strong 5”, causing the Banxin to Bridge and steel box girders between stations to appear. There were 11 displacements, 7 of which were serious, with displacements ranging from 20 to 92 centimeters, and 4 displacements ranging from 3.5 to 6 centimeters.
Li Zhengan pointed out that currently all steel box girders have completed additional reinforcement and are continuously monitored to reach a safe state.
He said that in order to ensure the safety of the circular line when it resumes operation, the Shuangbei MRT Bureau also jointly entrusted a third-party impartial appraisal and review unit, the Structural Engineering Society of the Republic of China, and invited 9 experts and scholars to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of the reasons, and also invited the New Taipei City Civil Technicians Association Conduct on-site inspections of beams and columns to understand whether the structure is damaged, so as to improve and review future restoration design and construction plans.
Li Zhengan pointed out that the third-party impartial appraisal and review unit has conducted an on-site survey and held the first meeting of experts and scholars on April 19 to review the damage to the on-site structure and the expected recovery method. It is expected to hold the second meeting on April 26. 2 review meetings, various analyzes and appraisals are in progress simultaneously.
He said that the circular line must be safe before it can be fully opened to traffic. First, the restoration plan must be determined, steel box girder disk support materials must be prepared, and a safe transfer and reset construction plan must be planned. Before the transfer, traffic maintenance and erection work platforms must be set up, etc. .
Li Zheng’an pointed out that after the steel box girders are restored to their original positions one by one, the entire section of the track construction, expansion joints, sound insulation walls, and power communication line repairs will be carried out. The final operation test will ensure that the whole line is safe and the entire line will be opened to traffic. Therefore, a preliminary assessment of the restoration work is required. About 1 year or more. (Editor: Dai Guangyu) 1130424
