MOTC unveils winner of New Taipei bridge project

2015/08/14

The winner of a competition to design Danjiang Bridge in New Taipei City was announced Aug. 12 by the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

A consortium of Taipei City-based Sinotech Engineering Consultants Ltd. and Leonhardt Andra and Partner Beratende Ingenieure VBI AG of Germany was awarded over five other teams from Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the U.S.

Sinotech President Kung Chen-shan said the design for the 6-kilometer-long cable-stayed structure with its single central pylon shaped like hands in prayer is inspired by the movements of performers from Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan.

“We also planned the bridge to have minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem,” Kung said. “When completed in 2020, it will be the longest of its kind in the world and a new landmark for northern Taiwan.”

According to Kung, the span’s asymmetrical design also takes into account the region’s unique scenery and cultural heritage, including the enchanting sunset over the Tamsui River.

Situated at the mouth of Tamsui River, the bridge will provide the critical link to a network of roads such as provincial highways No. 2, 15, 61 and 64, a DGH official said.

The structure is part of an NT$15.43 billion (US$475.28 million) infrastructure project aimed at improving the coastal road system of northern Taiwan while spurring regional development.

Construction of the first part of the undertaking—a major road connecting Taipei Port—is already underway, while the second part—two sections of an access road—is in the design stage and will commence by year-end with a 2018 finish date.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233781&ctNode=413)