Completing the Expressway Network: Provincial Highways 61 and 62 Planned to Extend to Kaohsiung and Yilan
Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications today reported on plans to improve and extend Provincial Highways 61 and 62, involving an investment of over NT$350 billion. Provincial Highway 61 will extend south to Kaohsiung, and Provincial Highway 62 will extend west to Wanli and east to Toucheng, Yilan.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 17:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 18:02 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 18:07 (5 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 7th) To complete the expressway network, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications today reported at the Executive Yuan meeting on the Provincial Highway 61 improvement and extension project and the Provincial Highway 62 extension project. A total investment of over NT$350 billion is expected, which will include improving 23 at-grade intersections along Provincial Highway 61 from New Taipei to Miaoli and extending it south to Kaohsiung. Provincial Highway 62 will also be extended west to Wanli and east to Toucheng, Yilan.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications today reported on "Highway Improvements (Provincial Highway 61 Expressway Improvement, Construction, and Southern Extension Project, Provincial Highway 62 Expressway Extension and Construction Project)" at the Executive Yuan meeting. Lin Fu-shan, Director-General of the Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, explained at the press conference after the meeting that Provincial Highway 61 is the north-south transportation artery of National Highways 1 and 3, and Provincial Highway 62 is the most important and only east-west expressway in northern Taiwan. Therefore, these related projects are being promoted to complete the expressway network.
He said that the elevated construction for 23 at-grade intersections along Provincial Highway 61 from New Taipei to Miaoli will be carried out in five phases annually starting from May, with a total budget of over NT$42.1 billion. The section of Provincial Highway 61 from Fengbi to Xiangshan shares a route with Provincial Highway 15, resulting in 19 traffic lights at at-grade intersections and frequent urban traffic congestion. It will be improved by elevating it to a dedicated right-of-way, raising the entire line to expressway standards. The overall planning has been completed, but it involves changes to the zoning of the core conservation and utilization plan for the Xiangshan Wetland, and is currently under review by the Ministry of the Interior.
Lin Fu-shan also said that, considering the impact on Nanliao Fishing Harbor and landscape issues, they are currently communicating with Hsinchu City Government about whether to implement a three-dimensional interchange plan for Provincial Highway 61 and Provincial Highway 68. If the plan proceeds smoothly, it is expected to be completed in 2035.
Currently, there is a lack of north-south expressways in the southern coastal areas. Lin Fu-shan stated that Provincial Highway 61 is currently undergoing construction to extend into Tainan, expected to be completed in 2028. The Executive Yuan approved the feasibility assessment for the southern extension of Provincial Highway 61 to the Kaohsiung area on April 10, with an overall cost of nearly NT$120 billion, expected to be completed in 2044.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications will also promote the new construction project for the priority section of Provincial Highway 62 extending west to Wanli. Lin Fu-shan said that overall planning is currently underway, hoping to expand the high-speed road service range in the North Coast and solve the congestion problem on Provincial Highway 2 in Keelung. The extension will be 6.2 kilometers long and cost approximately NT$30.8 billion, estimated to be completed in 2035.
In addition, National Highway 5 cannot be used by cargo vehicles and is often congested on holidays. Lin Fu-shan said that therefore, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will promote the new construction project for Provincial Highway 62 extending east from Ruibin to Toucheng, Yilan, to complete the high-speed road network between Taipei and Yilan. The feasibility assessment has been approved by the Executive Yuan, and it is estimated to be completed in 2042. According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' briefing, the extension of Provincial Highway 62 to Toucheng, Yilan, is estimated to be 45.5 kilometers long, include 8 tunnels, and cost approximately NT$184.5 billion, serving as the best alternative route for National Highway 5.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Lee Hui-chih today relayed at the press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting that Premier Cho Jung-tai instructed at the meeting that the multi-section new construction and improvement projects for Provincial Highways 61 and 62 will help build a high-speed road network in western and eastern Taiwan. He asked the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to continue to supervise the work to promote public transportation and connect overall life. (Editor: Zhai Si-chia) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 7th) To complete the expressway network, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications today reported at the Executive Yuan meeting on the Provincial Highway 61 improvement and extension project and the Provincial Highway 62 extension project. A total investment of over NT$350 billion is expected, which will include improving 23 at-grade intersections along Provincial Highway 61 from New Taipei to Miaoli and extending it south to Kaohsiung. Provincial Highway 62 will also be extended west to Wanli and east to Toucheng, Yilan.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications today reported on "Highway Improvements (Provincial Highway 61 Expressway Improvement, Construction, and Southern Extension Project, Provincial Highway 62 Expressway Extension and Construction Project)" at the Executive Yuan meeting. Lin Fu-shan, Director-General of the Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, explained at the press conference after the meeting that Provincial Highway 61 is the north-south transportation artery of National Highways 1 and 3, and Provincial Highway 62 is the most important and only east-west expressway in northern Taiwan. Therefore, these related projects are being promoted to complete the expressway network.
He said that the elevated construction for 23 at-grade intersections along Provincial Highway 61 from New Taipei to Miaoli will be carried out in five phases annually starting from May, with a total budget of over NT$42.1 billion. The section of Provincial Highway 61 from Fengbi to Xiangshan shares a route with Provincial Highway 15, resulting in 19 traffic lights at at-grade intersections and frequent urban traffic congestion. It will be improved by elevating it to a dedicated right-of-way, raising the entire line to expressway standards. The overall planning has been completed, but it involves changes to the zoning of the core conservation and utilization plan for the Xiangshan Wetland, and is currently under review by the Ministry of the Interior.
Lin Fu-shan also said that, considering the impact on Nanliao Fishing Harbor and landscape issues, they are currently communicating with Hsinchu City Government about whether to implement a three-dimensional interchange plan for Provincial Highway 61 and Provincial Highway 68. If the plan proceeds smoothly, it is expected to be completed in 2035.
Currently, there is a lack of north-south expressways in the southern coastal areas. Lin Fu-shan stated that Provincial Highway 61 is currently undergoing construction to extend into Tainan, expected to be completed in 2028. The Executive Yuan approved the feasibility assessment for the southern extension of Provincial Highway 61 to the Kaohsiung area on April 10, with an overall cost of nearly NT$120 billion, expected to be completed in 2044.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications will also promote the new construction project for the priority section of Provincial Highway 62 extending west to Wanli. Lin Fu-shan said that overall planning is currently underway, hoping to expand the high-speed road service range in the North Coast and solve the congestion problem on Provincial Highway 2 in Keelung. The extension will be 6.2 kilometers long and cost approximately NT$30.8 billion, estimated to be completed in 2035.
In addition, National Highway 5 cannot be used by cargo vehicles and is often congested on holidays. Lin Fu-shan said that therefore, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will promote the new construction project for Provincial Highway 62 extending east from Ruibin to Toucheng, Yilan, to complete the high-speed road network between Taipei and Yilan. The feasibility assessment has been approved by the Executive Yuan, and it is estimated to be completed in 2042. According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' briefing, the extension of Provincial Highway 62 to Toucheng, Yilan, is estimated to be 45.5 kilometers long, include 8 tunnels, and cost approximately NT$184.5 billion, serving as the best alternative route for National Highway 5.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Lee Hui-chih today relayed at the press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting that Premier Cho Jung-tai instructed at the meeting that the multi-section new construction and improvement projects for Provincial Highways 61 and 62 will help build a high-speed road network in western and eastern Taiwan. He asked the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to continue to supervise the work to promote public transportation and connect overall life. (Editor: Zhai Si-chia) 1150507
Stand with the truth, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.