Hsuehshan tunnel

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Hsuehshan Tunnel under construction in 2002

The Hsuehshan Tunnel (Traditional Chinese: 雪山隧道; Hanyu Pinyin: Xuěshān Suìdào; Wade-Giles: Hsueh-shan Sui-tao) or "Snow Mountain" tunnel, is the longest tunnel in Taiwan, located on the Taipei-Yilan Freeway(Taiwan National Highway No. 5). The road connects the city of Taipei to the northeastern county of Yilan (Ilan), cutting down the journey time from two hours to just half an hour. One of the key aims of constructing the tunnel was to connect the western coast of Taiwan, where 95% of the population live, to the eastern coast of the island and in doing so tackle the unbalanced development on the island. It is constructed with one pilot tunnel and two main tunnels for eastbound and westbound traffic. The total length is 12.9 km, making the Hsuehshan Tunnel the longest road tunnel in East Asia and the fifth longest tunnel in the world.

While excavating the tunnel, engineers encountered difficult geological problems like fractured rock and massive inflows of water, which caused severe delays. One of the three TBMs on the westbound tunnel was buried by a ground collapse. In order to speed up the tunnel boring, an additional working interface in Interchange Station No. 2 (under Ventilation Shaft No. 2) was built. Along the tunnel alignment, there are six major faults, numerous fracture zones, and high-pressure groundwater. Hence, serious tunnel collapses with groundwater flooding took place periodically during tunnel construction. Altogether, 25 lives were lost during 15 years of construction.

When traveling through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, vehicles must not exceed the 70 km/h limit, otherwise the drivers face a NT$3,000 (US$93.75) to NT$6,000 fine [1]. The usual minimum speed limit is 50 km/h. Additionally vehicles must maintain a separation distance of 50 m under normal situations. Even when the speed is less than 20 km/h due to congestion, a separation distance of 20 m must still be maintained [2]. Double solid lines prohibit lane changes. Automated road-rule enforcement cameras are used to monitor speeders, tailgaters, and those who unlawfully change lanes. Announcements of zero tolerance of speeding meant that those traveling at 71 km/h would be fined. After creating controversies [3], effective 00:00 (UTC+8) on September 16, 2006, a tolerance of 10 km/h has been allowed so speeds up to 80 km/h are no longer automatically penalized. [4]

It opened in June 2006 to severe traffic jams.

The Hsuehshan Tunnel broadcasts a dedicated radio station on two FM channels inside the tunnel. Drivers can tune to either of the two FM stations to hear announcements regarding the Heushshan Tunnel, rules for driving inside the tunnel, and music.

[edit] Tunnel Information

Tunnel length
- Main Tunnel
  - Eastbound tunnel: 12,917 m
  - Westbound tunnel: 12,942 m
- Pilot tunnel: 12,941 m
Constructed by: RSEA
Design speed: 70 km/h
Location: Pinglin, Taipei County and Toucheng, Yilan County
Ventilation shaft: 3
Total cost: NT$18,555,000,000
Date of starting construction
- Pilot Tunnel: July 1991
- Main Tunnels: July 23, 1993
Date of breakthrough:
- Eastbound tunnel: September 2004
- Westbound tunnel: April 2004
- Pilot tunnel: October 2003
Date of Opening: June 16, 2006