Department of Rapid Transit Systems

The entire Wanda-Zhonghe-Shulin line traverses Taipei City and New Taipei City and has been approved to be constructed in two phases. The progress level of the Phase I is 62%, and it is expected to be completed at the end of 2025 and opened for operations in the middle of 2026. As for the construction of Phase II, E&M system contract commenced in July 2020, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the elevated section construction of section contract CQ890 (one of the two civic work section contracts) was held in the afternoon of Oct. 14, 2022 at Sanduolizhen Redevelopment Zone, Shulin District, New Taipei City. Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi jointly presided over the ceremony, and VIPs from all sectors of society were invited to pray for the success of the project. 

In his speech, Mayor Ko stated that the joint structure of Wanda line LG21 Huilong Station will be handled by Taipei City DORTS, and in the future, the station will provide transfers to both the Xinlu line and Taoyuan MRT brown line. Wanda line Phase II construction not only expands the scope of services of the Taipei MRT system, but also integrates the benefits of the comprehensive transportation network in Taipei City, New Taipei City, and Taoyuan City; moreover, in the future, the living circle of northern Taiwan will be more closely integrated through this route network.

DORTS explained that following the completion of construction of the entire Wanda line, travel time between Taipei City and New Taipei City will be significantly reduced. For instance, the MRT travel time from Banshu Gymnasium LG14 to Huilong Station LG21 with transfer to the Xinzhuang line will be approximately 11 minutes by MRT, and the total travel time will be approximately 35 minutes by bus. Travel time from Banshu Gymnasium LG14 to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station LG01 with transfer to the Songshan-Xindian/Tamsui-Xinyi line will be approximately 27 minutes by MRT, and the total travel time will be approximately one hour and 15 minutes by bus. 

DORTS Second District Project Office (2nd DPO), which is responsible for this construction project, pointed out that Wanda line Phase II construction is divided into the following two section contracts: section contract CQ880 and section contract CQ890. The total length of section contract CQ890 is 6.6km, and it runs from Banqiao District Xicheng Rd. LG14 station (included), turns on Shulin District Zhonghua Rd. connects with Bade Rd., runs along Daan Rd. and Zhongzheng Rd., continues to Taoyuan City Wanshou Rd. Section 1, and then runs along Xinzhuang District Zhongzheng Rd. to MRT Xinzhuang line Huilong Station. During the construction period, eight elevated stations (LG14-LG21) and seven elevated route sections will be established.

2nd DPO stated that Wanda line has a total length of 22.8km, and in consideration of operational scheduling requirements, Wanda line depot has been established as the location of the staging point for the phased construction for the line. Phase I route section, running from Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station to the depot, is an entirely underground section with a length of 9.5km, and it includes the construction of nine underground stations and one depot. Phase II route section, running from the depot to Huilong section, with a length of 13.3km (2.8km underground/10.5km elevated), includes the construction of 13 stations (two underground stations and 11 elevated stations). 

Mayor Ko Wen-je stated that Wanda line is a corridor of extensive development where transportation is in high demand and highly anticipated by the local community. A transportation network is the main artery for the economic development of a locale, and a convenient transportation system creates a convenient lifestyle and enhances regional economic benefits. Although the bidding progress has been affected by the epidemic situation during the past two years, in order to build a livable city, Taipei City Government is actively reviewing and continually building a comprehensive and convenient route network. Mayor Ko stated that he realizes that the implementation of the MRT construction project is considerably difficult, and in addition to expressing gratitude for the diligent efforts of the construction companies and DORTS colleagues, he also kindly requested that the residents living along the route please be understanding and tolerant of the inconvenience and other impacts caused by the construction during the construction period. 

2nd DPO explained that domestic construction company Far Eastern General Contractor Inc. was awarded section contract CQ890 with a bid of NT$18 billion on Aug. 17, 2022. Furthermore, due to the influence of unfavorable external factors such as the pandemic situation, labor shortages, and rising costs, section contract CQ880 has failed four times. Therefore, DORTS is re-examining the overall project costs and project contracting strategy in hopes of being able to smoothly issue the contract. 

DORTS stated that following completion of construction of the entire Wanda line, the transportation requirements of Zhongzheng and Wanhua districts in Taipei City and Tucheng, Banqiao, Shulin, and Xinzhuang districts in New Taipei City will be met. Furthermore, the Wanda line will connect with the Xinlu line, Bannan line, Songshan-Xindian line, and the Tamsui-Xinyi line, and the connection transfer with the Taoyuan MRT brown line at LG21 Huilong Station will significantly increase the demand for intercity transportation between Taipei City, New Taipei City, and Taoyuan City.