TAIPEI 2016Spring Vol.03—Zhongxiao Access-Road Demolition: Beimen is Restored to its Ancient ElegancePost date：2016-06-15
Updates：2016-08-23
2057
Article ＿ Russell
Photos ＿ Daniel M Shih
New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government
On February 11th, 2016, Taipei’s 132-year-old Beimen, or North Gate, formally called the Cheng-En Gate, was finally restored to its ancient elegance after having been partially hidden from view by the Zhongxiao Bridge accessroad overpass for 39 years. On February 7th the Taipei City Government began demolition of the overpass, with an eight-day work period originally scheduled. However, as a result of the diligent joint efforts of the public sector and contractors, in a display of high efficiency the demolition was completed two days ahead of schedule, on February 11th.
Due to the high number of historical sites and the location of local roads, the overpass demolition was a project of the highest degree of difficulty. (Photo: Daniel M Shih)
The Sun Shines Once Again on Beimen – Invincible “Golden Shield”
Public Works Department Commissioner Cheng-sheng Pong emphasized at the time that the overpass demolition is an important first step in the implementation of the Taipei City Government’s West District Gateway Project. If the Beimen Plaza can be restored, it will both awaken the public’s historical and cultural memory and create the image of a national gateway to Taipei City. Commissioner Pong also stated that the overpass demolition was a project of the highest degree of difficulty, mainly because of the high number of nearby historical sites and the location of local roads. Consequently, a “big crew and many machines” strategy was employed to quicken the pace of the project, with nearly two thousand workers trading demolition-work and traffic-control shifts around the clock to enable its early completion. Prior to the resolution of moving the Taiwan Railways line underground, the level crossing at this location caused a road-traffic bottleneck. Construction of the Zhongxiao Bridge overpass was therefore commenced in 1978. However, this caused visual obstruction of Beimen. The Taipei City Government has in fact formulated plans to demolish the overpass on four occasions in the past, most recently in 2011, with 2016 considered the best time to carry out the project, due to scheduled completion of traffic facilities in the vicinity. After taking office in 2014, and in coordination with the West District Gateway Project, Taipei Mayor Wen-je Ko selected the Chinese New Year period, when traffic volume is at its lowest, as the time to execute the project.
On January 6th the contractors began the preliminary tasks involved in dismantling the bridge, including placing fences around the bridge area and digging out shrubbery from the partition islands. The overpass to the Zhongxiao Bridge was a total of 750 meters in length, and reached a height of 35 meters. Because the bridge surface was at a distance of only
60 centimeters from Beimen, due to concerns that the gate might be damaged by gravel spray a mechanical cutting method was used. In addition, steel plates were placed around the gate in order to reduce shaking of the ground by falling clods of earth, and a protective steel-frame partition dubbed the “Golden Shield” was set up outside the gate.
A “big crew and many machines” strategy was employed to quicken the pace of the project to enable its early completion. (Photo: Daniel M Shih)
In addition, every four hours safety inspections were carried out on the cultural assets in the Beimen vicinity, such as the Taipei Beimen Post Office, Mitsui Warehouse, and railway museum, checking for cracks and tilting and collecting data . For tunately, during the demonstration process there were no problems.
West District Gateway Project – Creating a National Gateway Image
During the period of removal, traffic regulations were put in place, including completely blocking westbound traffic on Zhongxiao West Road, leaving one lane open for eastbound traffic, blocking south- and northbound traffic from Xining North Road to Chongqing South Road along Zhongxiao West Road, and sealing off and detouring highway passenger buses and urban buses. Because the removal work was undertaken during the Chinese New Year, the traffic controls did not have a significant effect on overall traffic. However, post-removal road restoration work is now being carried out, to be completed in November, and the public is advised to change their travel routes to cross the Tamsui River using Zhongxing Bridge or Taipei Bridge instead.
The removal of the Zhongxiao Bridge access-road overpass is an important first step in the implementation of the West District Gateway Project. It will be followed by adjustments to area roads and public transportation lines along with the revival of Beimen Plaza. Furthermore, in tandem with the opening of the Taoyuan International Airport MRT line and the commencement of Taipei Main Station (A1) station operations, the plaza outside of Taipei Main Station will be transformed, with a national gateway image shaped. As well, culture- and industryoriented thinking will henceforth be included in the overall land usage and regulation in western Taipei.
Zhongxiao Bridge: Thanks for the excellent work by all of the employees who worked hard on the sped-up removal project during the Chinese New Year! (Photo: New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government)
There is an abundance of oldcity historical a ssets from the Qing Dynasty, Japanese era, and Republic of China era in the area surrounding Taipei Main Station. With the retirement and removal of the Zhongxiao Bridge access-road overpass, Beimen has been restored to its full elegance, and whether serving as a symbolic gateway to the capital city or attracting the gaze of domestic and foreign tourists, it adds splendidly to the richness of Taipei City’s historical texture, and is bright and glittering first step towards excellence for the Taipei City Government.
The Beimen Access Road Removal is the first step in the “West District Gateway Project.”(Photo: Daniel M Shih)
Photos ＿ Daniel M Shih
New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government
On February 11th, 2016, Taipei’s 132-year-old Beimen, or North Gate, formally called the Cheng-En Gate, was finally restored to its ancient elegance after having been partially hidden from view by the Zhongxiao Bridge accessroad overpass for 39 years. On February 7th the Taipei City Government began demolition of the overpass, with an eight-day work period originally scheduled. However, as a result of the diligent joint efforts of the public sector and contractors, in a display of high efficiency the demolition was completed two days ahead of schedule, on February 11th.
Due to the high number of historical sites and the location of local roads, the overpass demolition was a project of the highest degree of difficulty. (Photo: Daniel M Shih)
The Sun Shines Once Again on Beimen – Invincible “Golden Shield”
Public Works Department Commissioner Cheng-sheng Pong emphasized at the time that the overpass demolition is an important first step in the implementation of the Taipei City Government’s West District Gateway Project. If the Beimen Plaza can be restored, it will both awaken the public’s historical and cultural memory and create the image of a national gateway to Taipei City. Commissioner Pong also stated that the overpass demolition was a project of the highest degree of difficulty, mainly because of the high number of nearby historical sites and the location of local roads. Consequently, a “big crew and many machines” strategy was employed to quicken the pace of the project, with nearly two thousand workers trading demolition-work and traffic-control shifts around the clock to enable its early completion. Prior to the resolution of moving the Taiwan Railways line underground, the level crossing at this location caused a road-traffic bottleneck. Construction of the Zhongxiao Bridge overpass was therefore commenced in 1978. However, this caused visual obstruction of Beimen. The Taipei City Government has in fact formulated plans to demolish the overpass on four occasions in the past, most recently in 2011, with 2016 considered the best time to carry out the project, due to scheduled completion of traffic facilities in the vicinity. After taking office in 2014, and in coordination with the West District Gateway Project, Taipei Mayor Wen-je Ko selected the Chinese New Year period, when traffic volume is at its lowest, as the time to execute the project.
On January 6th the contractors began the preliminary tasks involved in dismantling the bridge, including placing fences around the bridge area and digging out shrubbery from the partition islands. The overpass to the Zhongxiao Bridge was a total of 750 meters in length, and reached a height of 35 meters. Because the bridge surface was at a distance of only
60 centimeters from Beimen, due to concerns that the gate might be damaged by gravel spray a mechanical cutting method was used. In addition, steel plates were placed around the gate in order to reduce shaking of the ground by falling clods of earth, and a protective steel-frame partition dubbed the “Golden Shield” was set up outside the gate.
A “big crew and many machines” strategy was employed to quicken the pace of the project to enable its early completion. (Photo: Daniel M Shih)
In addition, every four hours safety inspections were carried out on the cultural assets in the Beimen vicinity, such as the Taipei Beimen Post Office, Mitsui Warehouse, and railway museum, checking for cracks and tilting and collecting data . For tunately, during the demonstration process there were no problems.
West District Gateway Project – Creating a National Gateway Image
During the period of removal, traffic regulations were put in place, including completely blocking westbound traffic on Zhongxiao West Road, leaving one lane open for eastbound traffic, blocking south- and northbound traffic from Xining North Road to Chongqing South Road along Zhongxiao West Road, and sealing off and detouring highway passenger buses and urban buses. Because the removal work was undertaken during the Chinese New Year, the traffic controls did not have a significant effect on overall traffic. However, post-removal road restoration work is now being carried out, to be completed in November, and the public is advised to change their travel routes to cross the Tamsui River using Zhongxing Bridge or Taipei Bridge instead.
The removal of the Zhongxiao Bridge access-road overpass is an important first step in the implementation of the West District Gateway Project. It will be followed by adjustments to area roads and public transportation lines along with the revival of Beimen Plaza. Furthermore, in tandem with the opening of the Taoyuan International Airport MRT line and the commencement of Taipei Main Station (A1) station operations, the plaza outside of Taipei Main Station will be transformed, with a national gateway image shaped. As well, culture- and industryoriented thinking will henceforth be included in the overall land usage and regulation in western Taipei.
Zhongxiao Bridge: Thanks for the excellent work by all of the employees who worked hard on the sped-up removal project during the Chinese New Year! (Photo: New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government)
There is an abundance of oldcity historical a ssets from the Qing Dynasty, Japanese era, and Republic of China era in the area surrounding Taipei Main Station. With the retirement and removal of the Zhongxiao Bridge access-road overpass, Beimen has been restored to its full elegance, and whether serving as a symbolic gateway to the capital city or attracting the gaze of domestic and foreign tourists, it adds splendidly to the richness of Taipei City’s historical texture, and is bright and glittering first step towards excellence for the Taipei City Government.
The Beimen Access Road Removal is the first step in the “West District Gateway Project.”(Photo: Daniel M Shih)
