Danjiang Bridge Opening Date Spurs Discussion; Directorate General of Highways: Coordinated with Cloud Gate's Schedule
The opening date of the Danjiang Bridge coinciding with the Minister of Transportation's birthday caused debate. The Director General of Highways explained that the date was set based on construction progress and the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's schedule, with the opening ceremony on May 9 and official opening on May 12 after safety checks. This was emphasized as a result of overall coordination, not local requests.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 19:28
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 19:32 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 03:01 (7h 28m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Chiao-Wen, Taipei, May 13) The discussion surrounding the Danjiang Bridge's opening date coinciding with Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-Kai's birthday has drawn attention. Lin Fu-Shan, Director General of the Directorate General of Highways, stated today that the opening ceremony gala was scheduled for May 9 last April, based on construction progress and coordinated with the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's schedule. Due to subsequent requirements for dismantling and other needs, the bridge officially opened on May 12.
The Directorate General of Highways of the Ministry of Transportation held the Danjiang Bridge opening ceremony gala on May 9, and the bridge officially opened at 11:30 AM yesterday morning. The main bridge of the Danjiang Bridge is approximately 920 meters long, with a main span of 450 meters, making it the world's longest-span single-tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge. It was designed by the internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid's firm, inspired by the dancing姿態 of the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.
Regarding public attention on the Danjiang Bridge's inauguration ceremony and official opening date, Director General Lin Fu-Shan explained at a press conference that the opening schedule was comprehensively arranged based on factors such as construction progress, opening inspection, safety preparations, pre-opening series of activities, and removal and restoration of bridge facilities. It was not determined based on suggestions from the New Taipei City Government, and the Directorate General of Highways has never publicly stated that the opening date was provided by the New Taipei City Government.
Lin Fu-Shan mentioned that the design concept of the Danjiang Bridge primarily came from the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Therefore, the internationally renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre was invited to perform on the bridge, hoping to showcase Taiwan's engineering and artistic strengths together. Contact with Cloud Gate began in July 2024, at which time Chen Shih-Kai had not yet taken office.
Furthermore, Lin Fu-Shan stated that after the construction progress became clearer in April 2025, the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre team's schedule was consulted. After intensive communication and coordination, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre provided two dates, May 9, 2026, and May 19, 2026, considering their domestic and international tour schedules. After discussion, it was decided to hold the "Gratitude and Beautiful Night" opening ceremony gala on May 9.
Lin Fu-Shan also detailed the invitation list for the opening ceremony gala, including the Presidential Office, Executive Yuan, central government ministries and agencies, New Taipei City Mayor, Deputy Mayor, heads of various bureaus and departments, city council, local councilors, and 52 village chiefs from Tamsui and Bali districts.
He said that the gala concluded at nearly 9 PM that evening. In addition to dismantling the stage that took two weeks to build, other facilities needed to be removed, and a review of traffic flow and final safety inspection were required, taking about two days. Therefore, the official opening was scheduled for 11:30 AM on May 12.
Regarding the absence of local government leaders and elected representatives at yesterday's official opening, Lin Fu-Shan explained that regardless of the scale of the project, after the opening ceremony and before the official opening, the engineering unit customarily holds a "thanksgiving to the earth" ceremony to pray for safe travel. Yesterday's prayer ceremony was purely an internal event and did not invite external guests. The Minister was specially invited because the Bridge Management Center was also inaugurated on the same day.
Lin Fu-Shan said that the Directorate General of Highways hoped to give the construction team one last opportunity to tour the bridge on the opening day. Therefore, the Minister led the engineering personnel on a final tour to express the highest respect to all the construction heroes.
As for the opening date coincidentally being Chen Shih-Kai's birthday, Lin Fu-Shan emphasized: "I really don't know when the Minister's birthday is."
In addition, Lin Fu-Shan stated that a large crowd and traffic flowed into the bridge during the initial opening yesterday, which gradually eased after 3:30 PM. Traffic flow during the evening rush hour almost returned to normal. According to statistics, from the opening at 11:30 AM yesterday until 0:00 AM on May 13, the total number of cars going south and north was nearly 20,000, and the total number of motorcycles exceeded 15,000.
Lin Fu-Shan stated that observations from the traffic control center's monitoring screen this morning showed smooth overall traffic flow, indicating that apart from the initial surge of curious drivers and crowds, the construction benefits of the Danjiang Bridge are gradually becoming apparent. Many citizens also shared on social media that driving on Provincial Highway 2 is smoother than before, and it is more convenient to travel to Taoyuan or Taipei. Entering Tamsui via Provincial Highway 64 and Provincial Highway 61 is also quite fast. (Editor: Wu Su-Jou) 1150513
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(Central News Agency reporter Huang Chiao-Wen, Taipei, May 13) The discussion surrounding the Danjiang Bridge's opening date coinciding with Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-Kai's birthday has drawn attention. Lin Fu-Shan, Director General of the Directorate General of Highways, stated today that the opening ceremony gala was scheduled for May 9 last April, based on construction progress and coordinated with the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's schedule. Due to subsequent requirements for dismantling and other needs, the bridge officially opened on May 12.
The Directorate General of Highways of the Ministry of Transportation held the Danjiang Bridge opening ceremony gala on May 9, and the bridge officially opened at 11:30 AM yesterday morning. The main bridge of the Danjiang Bridge is approximately 920 meters long, with a main span of 450 meters, making it the world's longest-span single-tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge. It was designed by the internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid's firm, inspired by the dancing姿態 of the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.
Regarding public attention on the Danjiang Bridge's inauguration ceremony and official opening date, Director General Lin Fu-Shan explained at a press conference that the opening schedule was comprehensively arranged based on factors such as construction progress, opening inspection, safety preparations, pre-opening series of activities, and removal and restoration of bridge facilities. It was not determined based on suggestions from the New Taipei City Government, and the Directorate General of Highways has never publicly stated that the opening date was provided by the New Taipei City Government.
Lin Fu-Shan mentioned that the design concept of the Danjiang Bridge primarily came from the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Therefore, the internationally renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre was invited to perform on the bridge, hoping to showcase Taiwan's engineering and artistic strengths together. Contact with Cloud Gate began in July 2024, at which time Chen Shih-Kai had not yet taken office.
Furthermore, Lin Fu-Shan stated that after the construction progress became clearer in April 2025, the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre team's schedule was consulted. After intensive communication and coordination, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre provided two dates, May 9, 2026, and May 19, 2026, considering their domestic and international tour schedules. After discussion, it was decided to hold the "Gratitude and Beautiful Night" opening ceremony gala on May 9.
Lin Fu-Shan also detailed the invitation list for the opening ceremony gala, including the Presidential Office, Executive Yuan, central government ministries and agencies, New Taipei City Mayor, Deputy Mayor, heads of various bureaus and departments, city council, local councilors, and 52 village chiefs from Tamsui and Bali districts.
He said that the gala concluded at nearly 9 PM that evening. In addition to dismantling the stage that took two weeks to build, other facilities needed to be removed, and a review of traffic flow and final safety inspection were required, taking about two days. Therefore, the official opening was scheduled for 11:30 AM on May 12.
Regarding the absence of local government leaders and elected representatives at yesterday's official opening, Lin Fu-Shan explained that regardless of the scale of the project, after the opening ceremony and before the official opening, the engineering unit customarily holds a "thanksgiving to the earth" ceremony to pray for safe travel. Yesterday's prayer ceremony was purely an internal event and did not invite external guests. The Minister was specially invited because the Bridge Management Center was also inaugurated on the same day.
Lin Fu-Shan said that the Directorate General of Highways hoped to give the construction team one last opportunity to tour the bridge on the opening day. Therefore, the Minister led the engineering personnel on a final tour to express the highest respect to all the construction heroes.
As for the opening date coincidentally being Chen Shih-Kai's birthday, Lin Fu-Shan emphasized: "I really don't know when the Minister's birthday is."
In addition, Lin Fu-Shan stated that a large crowd and traffic flowed into the bridge during the initial opening yesterday, which gradually eased after 3:30 PM. Traffic flow during the evening rush hour almost returned to normal. According to statistics, from the opening at 11:30 AM yesterday until 0:00 AM on May 13, the total number of cars going south and north was nearly 20,000, and the total number of motorcycles exceeded 15,000.
Lin Fu-Shan stated that observations from the traffic control center's monitoring screen this morning showed smooth overall traffic flow, indicating that apart from the initial surge of curious drivers and crowds, the construction benefits of the Danjiang Bridge are gradually becoming apparent. Many citizens also shared on social media that driving on Provincial Highway 2 is smoother than before, and it is more convenient to travel to Taoyuan or Taipei. Entering Tamsui via Provincial Highway 64 and Provincial Highway 61 is also quite fast. (Editor: Wu Su-Jou) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.