Asia's Longest Tunnel Opened In Taiwan
Shaveta Bansal - All Headline News Staff Writer Taipei, Taiwan (AHN) - Asia's longest and world's fourth longest tunnel was officially opened to traffic after 15 years of construction in Taiwan. The 12.9 km (8.01 miles) Hsuehshan Tunnel joins Taiwan's capital city of Taipei with Ilan in the north-east, reducing the commuting distance sharply to less than 40 minutes as compared with previous more than two hours, said Transport Minister Kuo Yao-chi. She said the tunnel consists of separate pathways for east-bound and west-bound traffic and a pilot tunnel in the middle for emergency use. According to a report by DPA, the opening of the 90.6-billion Taiwan dollar (2.9 billion US dollar) tunnel, was presided by Premier Su Tseng-chang. The ceremony also honored the 25 workers, who were killed in accidents during the construction, by erecting a monument to commemorate them. The construction project was considered one of the most challenging in the world as the tunnel is situated in an area known for its complex fault lines and fractured rock, which rendered excavation extremely difficult. The project had been suspended for a year after an accident blocked the tunnel with tons of rocks and mud. Hsuehshan tunnel is already destined to lose its "world's number 4" and "Asia's longest tunnel" title once Zhongnanshan tunnel in China's northern Shaanxi province is completed by 2007.
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