HOV Controls Extended on National Freeway No. 5|國5高乘載首延長 週五至日14-21時實施

High occupancy vehicle controls were extended for the first time on National Freeway No. 5. in the hope to alleviate congestion. Since, the Freeway Bureau estimated the traffic volume on the nation's freeways would be the highest on Apr. 6, the third day of the five-day holiday. Tighter controls on Freeway No. 1 and No. 3 were also implemented.


This year's Tomb Sweeping Festival holiday has been marked by extreme congestion on the nation's freeways. National Freeway No. 5 suffered severe congestion on Apr. 4 and 5, leading to numerous complaints. The Freeway Bureau responded by extending the high occupancy vehicle control period for the freeway for the first time ever on Apr. 6. The period was extended from the original 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The HOV controls will remain in place until Apr. 8. The bureau hopes this change will ease congestion.

Since the improved Suhua Highway was opened to traffic, many tour buses have traveled south to Suao and Hualien. Therefore, we have adjusted the high occupancy vehicle control period for northbound lanes starting from today and for the next three days.

The bureau has also stepped up controls for National Freeway No. 1 and National Freeway No. 3. On the morning of Apr. 6, controls were implemented for northbound ramps at several interchanges on National Freeway No. 1, including the Chiayi System, Yunlin System and Xiluo. Meanwhile, shoulders on central and northern sections were opened to traffic ahead of schedule at 1 p.m. They were also opened on southern sections between Dawan and Yongkang, and Nanzi and Gangshan. There have been many complaints over the congested freeways during this long weekend. The Freeway Bureau hopes its measures will have the desired effect.