The eagerly anticipated Pingnan Expressway in Hengchun Peninsula, Pingtung, is currently in the feasibility assessment phase by the Highway Bureau, with an estimated completion timeline of 13 years. Yesterday, during the New Year holiday, traffic jams occurred from the afternoon until evening on Provincial Highway 1 from Fangliao to Fenggang and on Provincial Highway 26 from Checheng northbound.
Residents vented their frustrations on local online communities, with some reminding Pingnan legislative candidates that the expressway is a major political promise, and others jokingly calling it the “election year’s hottest ‘political promise road'” that disappears after the election.
Proposed extension of expressway
During the New Year holiday, the Hengchun Peninsula and Taitung saw a surge in crowds for the New Year’s Eve and dawn events, leading to heavy northbound traffic jams yesterday. Despite traffic diversion measures implemented by the police in the Fangshan section, the traffic was too heavy for the three lanes to accommodate.
Residents complained that a journey from Hengchun to Fangliao, usually taking one hour, took three hours, and discussed the traffic woes on local online networks, reigniting discussions on the Pingnan Expressway.
Residents of Hengchun Peninsula have long been advocating for the southern extension of National Highway 3, the Pingnan Expressway. Despite its estimated cost of over a hundred billion NTD and initial rejection by the Executive Yuan due to cost-effectiveness concerns, local demands have never ceased.
Hengchun Mayor Chen Wenhong initiated a petition signed by thousands of residents from four townships four years ago, and the county government supported it. The Highway Bureau started a feasibility study three years ago and has since entered the assessment phase, holding local briefings in Chaozhou Town, Fangshan Township, and Hengchun Township last July.
According to the planning report, the 75-kilometer route with an estimated cost of over 176.3 billion NTD starts from Zhutian to Fangliao (Section A), Fangliao to Fenggang (Section B), and ends at the southern side of Hengchun Town (Section C), just north of Kenting National Park. The route allows access from both ends of Hengchun Town but risks impacting the ecology of Longluan Lake and the recreational development of Hengchun Valley, along with high total cost and low economic feasibility, making it challenging to promote. A shorter 9-kilometer alternative ending at the north side of Hengchun Town is suggested, saving 21.7 billion NTD and being more feasible.
Locals complained that the 13-year estimated completion time, with a 5-year environmental assessment phase, is too long. Former legislator Su Qingquan suggested an elevated construction similar to the National Freeway No. 5, saving time on environmental assessments and land acquisition.
County councilors Lu Minxin and Pan Fangquan recommended phased construction with simultaneous design and land acquisition to shorten the timeline. Upcoming Pingnan legislative candidates Xu Fugui and Su Mengjun included it in their main political platforms, urging a shorter timeline. Residents hope it doesn’t remain just a ‘political promise road’ and wish to end the nightmare of holiday traffic jams.