Hsuehshan Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Hsuehshan Tunnel 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.
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.
90.6 billion (US$2.83 billion) to complete. Tunnel construction used 370000 m³ (13,066,426.5 cu ft) of concrete, 2000 kilometres (1,242.7 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 TBM
s 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.
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 (12.4 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 camera
s 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
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, located on the Taipei-Yilan Freeway (Taiwan National Highway No. 5
National Highway No. 5 (Taiwan)
National Highway No. 5 is a freeway, which begins in Taipei City at Nangang JCT. on National Highway No. 3 and ends in Su-ao, Yilan on Masai Road...
). It opened on June 16, 2006.
Overview
The tunnel is bored through the Hsuehshan Range. The road connects the city of TaipeiTaipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
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
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
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$New Taiwan dollar
The New Taiwan dollar , or simply Taiwan dollar, is the official currency of the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China since 1949, when it replaced the Old Taiwan dollar...
90.6 billion (US$2.83 billion) to complete. Tunnel construction used 370000 m³ (13,066,426.5 cu ft) of concrete, 2000 kilometres (1,242.7 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 TBM
Tunnel boring machine
A tunnel boring machine also known as a "mole", is a machine used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section through a variety of soil and rock strata. They can bore through anything from hard rock to sand. Tunnel diameters can range from a metre to almost 16 metres to date...
s 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 limitSpeed limit
Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
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 (12.4 mph) due to congestion
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
, a separation distance of 20 m (66 ft) must still be maintained. Double solid lines prohibit lane changes. Automated road-rule enforcement camera
Road-rule enforcement camera
A traffic enforcement camera is an automated ticketing machine...
s are used to monitor speeders, tailgaters
Tailgating
Tailgating is the practice of driving on a road too close to the vehicle in front, at a distance which does not guarantee that stopping to avoid collision is possible...
, 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
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
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
Tunnel information
- Tunnel length:
- Pilot tunnel: 12941 m (8.041 mi; 42,457.349 ft)
- Main tunnels:
- Eastbound tunnel: 12917 m (8.026 mi; 42,378.609 ft)
- Westbound tunnel: 12942 m (8.042 mi; 42,460.63 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: NTNew Taiwan dollarThe New Taiwan dollar , or simply Taiwan dollar, is the official currency of the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China since 1949, when it replaced the Old Taiwan dollar...
$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)
- TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
- TunnelTunnelA tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
- List of tunnels by length