| Hsuehshan Tunnel East Entrance | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Taiwan |
| Coordinates | West Entrance: East Entrance: |
| Status | Active |
| Start | Pinglin District, New Taipei City |
| End | Toucheng, Yilan County |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | July 1991 |
| Opened | June 16, 2006 |
| Traffic | Road tunnel |
| Technical | |
| Length | 12.941 km (8.041 mi) |
| Number of lanes | 4 |
| Operating speed | 60 to 80 km/h |
| Hsuehshan Tunnel | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 雪山隧道 | ||||||||||
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The Hsuehshan Tunnel (Chinese: 雪山隧道) or "Snow Mountain" tunnel, is the longest tunnel in Taiwan, located on the Taipei-Yilan Freeway (Taiwan National Highway No. 5). It opened on June 16, 2006.
Contents |
The tunnel is bored through the Hsuehshan Range. The road connects the city of Taipei to the northeastern county of Yilan (Ilan),[1] cutting down the journey time from two hours to just half an hour.[2] It bypasses the rural district of Pinglin, which used to receive high traffic prior to the completion of the tunnel. One of the key aims of constructing the tunnel was to connect the western coast of Taiwan, where 95% of the population lives, to the eastern coast of the island and in doing so tackle the unbalanced development on the island.[1] It is constructed with one pilot tunnel and two main tunnels for eastbound and westbound traffic. The total length is 12.942 km (8.042 mi), making the Hsuehshan Tunnel the second longest road tunnel in East Asia and the fifth longest road tunnel in the world. The tunnel opened in June 2006 to severe traffic jams.[3]
Tunnel construction began in July 1991 and took 15 years to complete and cost a total of NT$90.6 billion (US$2.83 billion) to complete.[4][5] Tunnel construction used 370,000 m3 (13,000,000 cu ft) of concrete, 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of cables, and 2,000 lighting units.[5]
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, ninety-eight fracture zones, and thirty six high-pressure groundwater sources. Hence, serious tunnel collapses with groundwater flooding took place periodically during tunnel construction. Altogether, 25 lives were lost during 15 years of construction.[6]
When traveling through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, vehicles must not exceed the 70 km/h (43 mph) limit; otherwise the drivers face a NT$3,000 (US$93.75) to NT$6,000 fine.[7] The usual minimum speed limit is 50 km/h. Additionally vehicles must maintain a separation distance of 50 m (164 ft) under normal situations. Even when the speed is less than 20 km/h (12 mph) due to congestion, a separation distance of 20 m (66 ft) must still be maintained.[8] 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,[9] 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.[10]
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 Hsuehshan Tunnel, rules for driving inside the tunnel, and music.
As of May 1, 2008, the speed limit has been raised to 80 km/h with a 10 km/h tolerance. At this speed a trip through the 12.9 km tunnel takes 8.6 minutes.
As of Nov 1, 2010, the speed limit was raised to 90 km/h to allievate traffic[11]