Gongguan Roundabout Removal Completed to Make Way for New Intersection

Taipei: The removal of the Gongguan roundabout to make way for a controlled intersection was completed Monday morning at 6 a.m. Huang Hui-ju, deputy head of the city's Traffic Engineering Office, announced the completion of the project that aims to improve traffic flow and safety in the area. According to Focus Taiwan, the new intersection includes designated left-turn lanes at each roadway, which will allow most motorcyclists to make direct left turns. However, at the Fuhe Bridge exit, motorcyclists will still be required to execute a two-stage left turn. Additionally, left-turn waiting zones are incorporated where necessary to facilitate smoother traffic movement. The city has also adjusted bus station locations, and passengers are advised to take note of the new boarding areas. As Monday is a national holiday, significant traffic flow is not anticipated until Tuesday, but drivers are urged to adhere to the new traffic signs and patterns. The ongoing construction work, which includes pedestrian refuge is lands, is expected to be finalized by the first half of October. The construction project began on September 13. In response to public protests about the construction, city officials highlighted that the roundabout, constructed in 1967, had been the leading site for traffic accidents in the city for the past seven years.