After numerous evaluations, the project of widening and reconstructing the Southern Link Highway has finally passed the initial step with conditions that the development process must comply with environmental protection requirements. Residents are looking forward to a safe road, and it can also cut down the traveling time between Taitung and Pingtung by 50 minutes.

On the Dawu section of Taitung of the two-lane Southern Link Highway, construction workers are fixing the side slopes that were ruined in the 88 flooding last year.

Only one lane is open to traffic.

On the way to mountainous areas of Pingtung, there is another section on the highway under repair.

Drivers find the highway conditions very difficult for the bumps and holes.

The Southern Link Highway is the only highway available in Eastern Taiwan that connects to Southern Taiwan and it is damaged every year during typhoon season and later goes under repair.

After the 88 flooding last year, people in Eastern Taiwan hope to have a safe way home.

But the Southern Link Highway, which runs through the Tawushan Nature Reserve is being protected on the ground of cultural heritage protection.

Any road widening or improvement projects need to pass the Environmental Impact Assessment.

After five rounds of review, the highway-widening project is finally passed on certain conditions.

The project, which is estimated at NT$16.8 billion, will be sent for another review at the Environmental Impact Assessment meeting in one month.

The construction will begin next year at the soonest.

The scheme can save up to 50 minutes of travel time.

But environmentalist also urge the government to take all necessary measures to

protect the special ecology along the highway.

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