Hsuehshan Tunnel

Hsuehshan Tunnel

Hsuehshan Tunnel East Entrance
Overview
Location	Taiwan
Coordinates	West Entrance: 24°56′18.96″N 121°42′54″E East Entrance: 24°50′52.08″N 121°47′27.6″E
Status	Active
Start	Pinglin District, New Taipei City
End	Toucheng, Yilan County
Operation
Work begun	July 1991
Opened	June 16, 2006
Traffic	Road tunnel
Technical
Length	12.941 km (8.041 mi)
Number of lanes	4
Operating speed	60 to 80 km/h

Hsuehshan Tunnel
Chinese	雪山隧道
Transcriptions Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin Xuěshān Suìdào - Tongyong Pinyin Syuěshān Suèidào - Wade–Giles Hsueh-shan Sui-tao

The Hsuehshan Tunnel (Chinese: 雪山隧道) or "Snow Mountain" tunnel, is the longest tunnel in Taiwan, located on the Taipei-Yilan Freeway (Taiwan National Highway No. 5). It opened on June 16, 2006.

Overview

The tunnel is bored through the Hsuehshan Range. The road connects the city of Taipei to the northeastern county of Yilan (Ilan), cutting down the journey time from two hours to just half an hour. It bypasses the rural district of Pinglin, which used to receive high traffic prior to the completion of the tunnel. One of the key aims of constructing the tunnel was to connect the western coast of Taiwan, where 95% of the population lives, to the eastern coast of the island and in doing so tackle the unbalanced development on the island. It is constructed with one pilot tunnel and two main tunnels for eastbound and westbound traffic. The total length is 12.942 km (8.042 mi), making the Hsuehshan Tunnel the second longest road tunnel in East Asia and the fifth longest road tunnel in the world. The tunnel opened in June 2006 to severe traffic jams.

Tunnel Construction

Tunnel construction began in July 1991 and took 15 years to complete and cost a total of NT$90.6 billion (US$2.83 billion) to complete. Tunnel construction used 370,000 m³ (13,000,000 cu ft) of concrete, 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of cables, and 2,000 lighting units.

While excavating the tunnel, engineers encountered difficult geological problems like fractured rock and massive inflows of water, which caused severe delays. One of the three TBMs on the westbound tunnel was buried by a ground collapse. In order to speed up the tunnel boring, an additional working interface in Interchange Station No. 2 (under Ventilation Shaft No. 2) was built. Along the tunnel alignment, there are six major faults, ninety-eight fracture zones, and thirty six high-pressure groundwater sources. Hence, serious tunnel collapses with groundwater flooding took place periodically during tunnel construction. Altogether, 25 lives were lost during 15 years of construction.

Operations

When traveling through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, vehicles must not exceed the 70 km/h (43 mph) limit; otherwise the drivers face a NT$3,000 (US$93.75) to NT$6,000 fine. The usual minimum speed limit is 50 km/h. Additionally vehicles must maintain a separation distance of 50 m (164 ft) under normal situations. Even when the speed is less than 20 km/h (12 mph) due to congestion, a separation distance of 20 m (66 ft) must still be maintained. Double solid lines prohibit lane changes. Automated road-rule enforcement cameras are used to monitor speeders, tailgaters, and those who unlawfully change lanes. Announcements of zero tolerance of speeding meant that those traveling at 71 km/h would be fined. After creating controversies, effective 00:00 (UTC+8) on September 16, 2006, a tolerance of 10 km/h has been allowed so speeds up to 80 km/h are no longer automatically penalized.

The Hsuehshan Tunnel broadcasts a dedicated radio station on two FM channels inside the tunnel. Drivers can tune to either of the two FM stations to hear announcements regarding the Hsuehshan Tunnel, rules for driving inside the tunnel, and music.

As of May 1, 2008, the speed limit has been raised to 80 km/h with a 10 km/h tolerance. At this speed a trip through the 12.9 km tunnel takes 8.6 minutes.

As of Nov 1, 2010, the speed limit was raised to 90 km/h to allievate traffic

Hsuehshan Tunnel west entrance under construction in 2002.

Tunnel information

• Tunnel length:
  • Pilot tunnel: 12,941 m (8.041 mi; 42,460 ft)
  • Main tunnels:
    • Eastbound tunnel: 12,917 m (8.026 mi; 42,380 ft)
    • Westbound tunnel: 12,942 m (8.042 mi; 42,460 ft)
• Constructed by: RSEA
• Design speed: 70 km/h (Operational speed limit was raised to 80 km/h)
• Location: Pinglin District, New Taipei City and Toucheng, Yilan County
• Ventilation shaft: 3
• Total cost: NT$18,555,000,000 (US$562,273,000)
• Date of groundbreaking:
  • Pilot tunnel: July 1991
  • Main tunnels: July 23, 1993
• Date of breakthrough:
  • Pilot tunnel: October 2003
  • Main tunnels:
    • Eastbound tunnel: September 2004
    • Westbound tunnel: April 2004
• Date of opening: June 16, 2006

See also

• Xueshan (Snow Mountain)
• Xueshan Range (雪山山脈)
• Taiwan
• Tunnel
• List of tunnels by length

External links

• Hsuehshan Tunnel