Rail Services During Double Ten Holiday May Be Affected 花東鐵路強震受損 恐衝擊雙十連假疏運

The Sept.18 earthquake caused extensive damage to the railway in Hualien and Taitung. According to Taiwan Railway, three railway bridges and 40 electric poles on New Siouguluan River Bridge sustained damage, and tracks at three locations became deformed. This may impact rail services during the upcoming National Day long weekend.

New Siouguluan River Bridge was the piece of rail infrastructure that suffered the most severe damage during the 918 earthquake. The bridge deck shifted by about 40 centimeters, warping the tracks. High-voltage poles on both sides became slanted, and the bridge pier's concrete peeled off, exposing steel reinforcing bars. Transportation and Communications Minister Wang Kwo-tsai said three railway bridges need to be fixed, and this will take over one month. The damage sustained by New Siouguluan River Bridge is more severe, and the repair time will be longer at over six months. In the meantime, buses will be used to minimize the impact on passengers.

花東鐵路嚴重受損，其中以新秀姑巒溪橋受創最嚴重，橋面大概左右平移40公分，導致鐵軌扭曲，兩旁的高壓電桿多根傾斜，橋墩水泥剝落、鋼筋外漏。對此，交通部長王國材表示，初步評估3座鐵路橋樑修復要1個月以上；但新秀姑巒溪橋受損較嚴重，搶修時間比較長，需花上6個月時間。也會以接駁方式將影響縮小，減少衝擊。