Highway 61 Extension to Kaohsiung Shows Promise; Highway Bureau Initiates Comprehensive Planning
The Executive Yuan approved the feasibility study report for the long-awaited extension of Highway 61 (Xibin Expressway) to Kaohsiung. The Highway Bureau is actively planning the approximately 48 km route to enhance the western high-speed road network, expand its service area, and create a more complete transportation backbone for the coastal regions of Tainan and Kaohsiung.
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- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 13:26
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The Executive Yuan approved the feasibility study report for the much-anticipated "Highway 61 Extension to Kaohsiung" by the people of Tainan and Kaohsiung on the 10th. The Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, announced today that it is actively planning the southern extension route, approximately 48 kilometers long, to improve the western high-speed road network, expand the service area of Highway 61, and build a more complete transportation backbone for the coastal areas of Tainan and Kaohsiung.
The Directorate General of Highways issued a press release stating that the southern terminus of Highway 61 (Xibin Expressway) is currently in Qigu District, Tainan City. Construction is actively underway for the bridge crossing the Zengwen River to the south. To improve the western high-speed road network and expand the service scope of Highway 61, thus constructing a more complete transportation backbone for the coastal areas of Tainan and Kaohsiung, the "Feasibility Study for the Extension of Highway 61 to Kaohsiung Area" was conducted, proposing feasible corridor options which were approved by the Executive Yuan.
The Directorate General of Highways stated that the project scope is limited by coastal wetlands, national park ecological conservation areas, historical site preservation areas, port development, and land acquisition issues. The corridor planning will be assessed based on principles of avoiding environmentally sensitive areas, minimizing private land acquisition and building demolition, and reducing impacts on current traffic.
The Directorate General of Highways indicated that the plan adopts a four-lane bidirectional configuration, with 7 regional interchanges and 1 system interchange, serving Annan District, Anping District, and South District in Tainan, as well as Qieding District, Yong'an District, Mituo District, and Ziguang District in Kaohsiung. It aims to improve the high-speed road network, connect coastal leisure and tourism industries, serve ports and industrial parks, divert and alleviate congestion on national highways, and respond to local expectations for improved transportation infrastructure.
The Directorate General of Highways stated that it has commenced the commissioned bidding process for comprehensive planning and environmental impact assessment. In the future, it will actively coordinate with local governments to reach consensus and expedite relevant tasks, proceeding with phased parallel construction to shorten the overall construction period, aiming to realize benefits early and provide more convenient transportation services to the region. (Editor: Li Mingzong) 1150418
The Directorate General of Highways issued a press release stating that the southern terminus of Highway 61 (Xibin Expressway) is currently in Qigu District, Tainan City. Construction is actively underway for the bridge crossing the Zengwen River to the south. To improve the western high-speed road network and expand the service scope of Highway 61, thus constructing a more complete transportation backbone for the coastal areas of Tainan and Kaohsiung, the "Feasibility Study for the Extension of Highway 61 to Kaohsiung Area" was conducted, proposing feasible corridor options which were approved by the Executive Yuan.
The Directorate General of Highways stated that the project scope is limited by coastal wetlands, national park ecological conservation areas, historical site preservation areas, port development, and land acquisition issues. The corridor planning will be assessed based on principles of avoiding environmentally sensitive areas, minimizing private land acquisition and building demolition, and reducing impacts on current traffic.
The Directorate General of Highways indicated that the plan adopts a four-lane bidirectional configuration, with 7 regional interchanges and 1 system interchange, serving Annan District, Anping District, and South District in Tainan, as well as Qieding District, Yong'an District, Mituo District, and Ziguang District in Kaohsiung. It aims to improve the high-speed road network, connect coastal leisure and tourism industries, serve ports and industrial parks, divert and alleviate congestion on national highways, and respond to local expectations for improved transportation infrastructure.
The Directorate General of Highways stated that it has commenced the commissioned bidding process for comprehensive planning and environmental impact assessment. In the future, it will actively coordinate with local governments to reach consensus and expedite relevant tasks, proceeding with phased parallel construction to shorten the overall construction period, aiming to realize benefits early and provide more convenient transportation services to the region. (Editor: Li Mingzong) 1150418