President Lai participates in the Danjiang Bridge inauguration event

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, and ASMedia

2025 September 18 . 9:52 PM

2 min read

President Lai participates in the Danjiang Bridge commemoration ceremony.

President Lai participates in the Danjiang Bridge inauguration event

The Danjiang Bridge (淡江大橋), a stunning architectural marvel, is scheduled to open for traffic on May 12, 2022. This iconic structure, connecting New Taipei City's Tamsui and Bali districts, is more than just a transportation link; it's an architectural work of art.

Designed by the late Iraqi British architect Zaha Hadid, the Danjiang Bridge was inspired by dances performed by Taiwan's Cloud Gate Dance Troupe and the sunset at Tamsui. The bridge's design reflects the resilience and spirit of Taiwanese, as well as the skillfulness of the construction team.

The bridge's construction has been a testament to perseverance. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai praised the efforts of then-Highway Bureau director-general Chen Yen-po and former premier Lai in keeping the project alive. The funding allocated to build the main bridge section rose from NT$8.4 billion to NT$12.5 billion, and the total project budget is NT$23.038 billion. The New Taipei City Government is contributing NT$8.566 billion, including NT$1.33 billion for the Danhai MRT extension.

The final bridge segment was successfully installed yesterday, and the construction team aims to meet the criteria to open the bridge for traffic by April next year. Between now and April, the team needs to lay dense asphalt concrete, adjust cable force, install landscape lighting poles, noise barriers, and other auxiliary facilities, and conduct bridge structural load tests.

The Danjiang Bridge is expected to ease traffic on Guangdu Bridge by 30% and on Highway No. 2 by 17%. It will facilitate journeys to New Taipei City's Linkou District, downtown areas in Taipei and New Taipei City, and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

CNN has listed the Danjiang Bridge as one of the top 11 architecture projects set to shape the world this year. As the first landmark that air travelers will see when they fly over the area, the Danjiang Bridge is poised to become a symbol of modern Taiwan.

President William Lai attended a ceremony for the closure of the main bridge span of the Danjiang Bridge, signalling the bridge's imminent completion. The bridge's construction also includes the funding for the Tambei Highway and Tamhai Light Rail, although Lai noted that local governments might receive less subsidies from the central government due to amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures.

The Danjiang Bridge project was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, a firm renowned for its innovative and dynamic designs. Every weld on the bridge was carried out according to the same standards used in nuclear power plant construction, reflecting the high-quality construction that has gone into the bridge.

As the Danjiang Bridge prepares to open, it stands as a testament to Taiwanese resilience, innovation, and the power of collaboration. It's more than just a bridge; it's a symbol of progress and a beacon of modern Taiwan.