March_1967 — Page 36

Ta-Han steel arch bridge

Route near Fu-Hsing Pass

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available for the jobs is realised.

The Fuhsing suspension bridge is 152 metres long and stands more then 40 metres above the floor of the gorge. Unfavourable geological formations on both sides of the gorge made work on the anchorages par- ticularly difficult. The first chosen site had to be abandoned and a second one found. Water seepage and cave-ins occurred during excava- tions for the anchorage on the Ilan side of the bridge. These troubles were remedied with quick-setting cement and other means. At the Fuhsing side of the bridge a pre- stressed concrete approach 15.5 metres long was added.

Paling suspension bridge spans a length of 160 metres and rises 48 metres above the valley. Both ends of the bridge face steep cliffs so that the road has to approach through tunnels at each end.

Tahan steel arch bridge is 71.5 metres long and stands 72 metres above the valley floor. It is an all- welded double-hinged arch in con- struction and its successful completion conquered an apparently impassable approach strewn with rocks.

Construction Costs

Engineering and construction costs were: First section, from Tapu to Fuhsing, NT$5,770,000; Second section, from Fuhsing to Chilan, NT$75,760,000; Third section, from Chilan to Lishan, cost included in the construction of the East-West Cross- Island Highway.

The newly completed highway, quite apart from providing work for over a thousand retired servicemen and opening potential fruit growing areas for them when the job was finished, will bring wide benefits to Taiwan.

It greatly strengthens the previous- ly existing road and railway system in the north of the island, forming a short cut between the west and the eastern towns of Lishan, Ilan and Hwalien. Previously inaccessible areas are now ready for agricultural development.

In addition the highway will render possible commercial exploitation of the Tachi and Taipingshan forests which cover 12.000 hectares. In the Chiohpan mountains, near Kaopu. there are reserves estimated at 9,700,000 metric tons of good quality coking coal, one of the few sources of this vital commodity in South-East Asia. Marble and quartz are also found along the route of the High- way.

The Taiwan Power Company is now preparing plans for the construc- tion of two new reservoirs at Keoyi and Yufung which, with their atten- dant hydroelectric generation plants, will add 460 million kWh to Taiwan's electrical resources. In addition the reservoirs will provide water for the towns and will help with flood con- trol, as well as taking their place as tourist attractions as their settings are

most among the

beautiful in the island.

Far East Architect & Builder March, 1967

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