Residents living along the No. 1 Provincial Highway in Kaohsiung's Luchu District are voicing their anger, as the road widening project has been delayed for years, with their residences being torn down and built, and torn down over again. They asked the government to return their land if the project is not going to happen anytime soon. Meanwhile, some questioned if the widening is necessary, as the traffic flow is not very heavy.
Houses along the Zhongshan Road was designated to be demolished some 20 to 30 years ago. How is the Luzhu district going to be prosperous with all of you standing in the way?
Supporters and opposers of a road widening project got into confrontations in an explanation session held by the Directorate General of Highways. The No. 1 Provincial Highway widening project of the Luzhu district in Kaohsiung has been delayed for years and forced local residents to witness their houses being demolished three times over 20 years. Another demolition is likely if the project gets a go.
Our houses have been demolished 3 times, this would be the fourth time. It is a very sad situation. There are 400 to 500 houses along the No. 1 Provincial Highway. My house was torn down to only one meters.
The Third Maintenance Office of the Directorate General of Highways explained several proposal during the session on the 20th, including building a bypass road and an extension from the Kaohsiung MRT Luzhu among others. While some supporters think only the widening of the No. 1 Provincial Highway can bring prosperity to the area, others think the traffic is not heavy on the No. 1 Provincial Highway, therefore there's no need for a widening project.
The government lied to us first. It did not realize the promise of allowing the land to maintain its current condition. Our houses have been torn down 3 times already, this time would be the fourth. More than 300 households will not have a home to return to.
Representatives from the Directorate General of Highways said the session was for the local residents to voice their opinions and they will not come to any immediate conclusion to the widening project. A local representative has also urged the Directorate General of Highways to provide a solution soon in order to solve the confrontation between regional development and local resident's right of habitation.