South Cross-Island Highway: Wafaha Bridge Foundations Exposed, Highway Bureau Accelerates Reinforcement for Safety
Recent inspections revealed exposed foundations at the Wafaha Bridge on the South Cross-Island Highway due to significant riverbed erosion. The Highway Bureau has launched emergency reinforcement and protection works to ensure structural integrity and traffic safety before the rainy season.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 15:43
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 16:01 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 16:06 (5 min after Collected)
The riverbed of the Laonong River was severely eroded by floods and heavy rains last year, causing the foundations of the 'Wafaha Bridge' on the South Cross-Island Highway to become exposed. The Jiasian Maintenance Section of the Southern Region Branch Office of the Highway Bureau stated that reinforcement and protection works are currently underway, and the bridge deck and structural integrity remain undamaged.
Zheng Minhua, head of the Jiasian Maintenance Section, told the Central News Agency today that the Laonong River riverbed dropped by 40 meters last year due to Typhoon Danas and heavy rains, leading to the exposure of the bridge pier foundations. Zheng stated that a special budget has been allocated to handle the protection work, which includes reinforcing the bridge approach and piers at the Qinhe end, as well as slope protection for the first pier. The bridge deck and structure are not damaged and safety is not compromised.
Due to road surface cracks near the Qinhe approach, the section has adjusted barriers and narrowed the road to facilitate slope construction. Security personnel are on-site 24/7 for traffic control and emergency response, ensuring that traffic flow is not interrupted. The project began on April 15, and contractors have been urged to accelerate work to ensure bridge safety during the upcoming flood season.
The 'Wafaha Bridge' was built with nearly NT$500 million to replace sections of the Mingba Kelu Bridge destroyed in 2021. It opened on January 28 this year. Located at the confluence of the Laonong, Butangbunasi, and Yusui Rivers, the area faces extreme hydrological and geological challenges. The Jiasian Section noted that the current opening is stage-based, and they will continue to seek funding for long-term maintenance and permanent route assessments.
Zheng Minhua, head of the Jiasian Maintenance Section, told the Central News Agency today that the Laonong River riverbed dropped by 40 meters last year due to Typhoon Danas and heavy rains, leading to the exposure of the bridge pier foundations. Zheng stated that a special budget has been allocated to handle the protection work, which includes reinforcing the bridge approach and piers at the Qinhe end, as well as slope protection for the first pier. The bridge deck and structure are not damaged and safety is not compromised.
Due to road surface cracks near the Qinhe approach, the section has adjusted barriers and narrowed the road to facilitate slope construction. Security personnel are on-site 24/7 for traffic control and emergency response, ensuring that traffic flow is not interrupted. The project began on April 15, and contractors have been urged to accelerate work to ensure bridge safety during the upcoming flood season.
The 'Wafaha Bridge' was built with nearly NT$500 million to replace sections of the Mingba Kelu Bridge destroyed in 2021. It opened on January 28 this year. Located at the confluence of the Laonong, Butangbunasi, and Yusui Rivers, the area faces extreme hydrological and geological challenges. The Jiasian Section noted that the current opening is stage-based, and they will continue to seek funding for long-term maintenance and permanent route assessments.