Songshan Line (Taipei Metro)

The Taipei Metro Songshan Line is a high-capacity underground metro line currently under construction in Taipei, Taiwan. It is an extension of the Xindian (Sindian) Line. When completed, it will help ease congestion on the east-west Nangang Line.

The 8.5 km (5.3 mi) route will have seven underground stations (including Ximen).^[1] Upon completion, it will take 15 minutes to travel from Songshan to Ximen.^[1]

Overview

The line will extend north from Ximen along Zhonghua Rd. to Tacheng St., turning northeast to Tianshui Rd. before heading east along Nanjing East and West Rd. (Sec. 1-5). It will then turn southeast along Bade Rd. before terminating at TRA Songshan Station.^[1]

History

• November 21, 1997: The Songshan Line is approved by the Executive Yuan.
• August 19, 2006: Construction begins on the Songshan Line.^[2]
• December 2008: During underground excavation along Nanjing East Road, Section 3, underground support (anchors) for several nearby buildings were discovered. Structural concerns resulted in a temporary suspension of excavation and construction.^[3][4]
• January 14, 2009: The city government announced that the building anchors would not affect the opening of the Songshan Line.^[5]

Tianshui Road Station

Initial plans for the line originally called for another station between Zhongshan and Beimen stations (at Chien-Cheng Circle). However, the Circle was suffering from economic concerns and engineering feasibility and effectiveness problems existed. Coupled with problems with landowners regarding joint developments and two of the entrances/exits, plans for the station were shelved on May 1, 2007^[6] The station would have been a five-level, underground station with stacked, split platforms.^[7]

Planned dates

• December 2013: Planned start date for the opening of the Songshan Line.^[8]

Line Construction

As of July 2011, construction was 58.23% complete,^[9] and it is estimated its opening will take place in 2013.^[10]

Shield tunneling will be used to construct most of the lines on the line, except for a few locations.^[1] Tunneling beneath Dacheng St. will cross existing Taiwan Railway Administration and Taiwan High Speed Rail tunnels.^[1] Common utility ducts will be constructed in sync with the Metro line, carrying water pipes, gas pipes, and cables.^[11] Over 200 homes have been demolished or relocated to make way for Metro land use.^[12]

Construction of the line is divided into three civil engineering section contracts and one electrical/mechanical system-wide contract.^[13] The contract for construction on the eastern end of the line (including Nanjing Sanmin and Songshan) was awarded to Da Cin Construction Co., Ltd. on March 2, 2006.^[14] The 3.02 km (1.88 mi)-long section includes a crossover section, a tail-track work shaft, and three shield tunnels. Construction is expected to be completed by October 2012.

In 2008, steel price increases threatened to delay construction plans due to the price doubling over the previous two years.^[15] The Ministry of Economic Affairs ordered that exports of other steel products be strictly supervised to ensure a steady local supply and to keep prices down.

Taipei Workshop, a 3rd level historical monument constructed during the era of Japanese rule, was exactly where the future Beimen Station would be located. Thus, a temporary removal project commenced on October 20, 2006 to move the structure until construction of both the Songshan Line and the Taoyuan International Airport MRT are completed.^[16][17] The building will be moved 30 meters to the southeast, and will be moved back when construction is completed.^[18]

Stations

References