The Keelung MRT will drive the transformation and development of surrounding container trucks into a technology park.

(Photo by reporter Lu Xianxiu)

[Reporter Lu Xianxiu/Keelung Report] Keelung MRT passed the first stage of environmental impact assessment today, and then entered the stage of comprehensive planning. Keelung City, hoping that the comprehensive planning will be finalized by the end of the year.

According to the announcement of the Railway Bureau, the Keelung MRT Public Hearing will start at 2:00 p.m. on the 26th at the Citizens' Activity Center in Zhengmingli, Keelung (on the 4th floor of the building in front of Qidu Station, on the side of Guangming Road); the second session will be at 2:00 p.m. on the 27th. In Sanchong District Citizens Activity Center, Nangang District, Taipei City (2nd Floor, No. 1, Xingdong Street, Nangang District); the third session is the auditorium on the 11th floor of Xizhi District Office, New Taipei City from 2:00 p.m. on 28.

The Bureau of Railways pointed out that the current planned route of the Keelung MRT is from Badou to Nangang, gradually climbs from the flat station of Badou, continues to be elevated in front of Nanyang Bridge Station, and then turns to level in front of Nanyang Bridge Station, and then goes underground to Nangang Station after passing Nanyang Bridge Station. The total length is about 16.05 kilometers and there are 13 stations in total.

Next, the land around the MRT has been acquired. The New Taipei City Government has reached an agreement with the landowners in Oita. The Keelung City Government said that the city government is currently planning to use the negotiated price for the land acquisition of the MRT corridors and stations. The municipal government will actively coordinate with the Railway Bureau to support the relevant funds.

Lin Youchang, Minister of the Interior, said that he was very happy to hear this news. The Keelung MRT should be firmly and pragmatically promoted in the future, which is the expectation of all Keelung people.

In addition to convenient transportation, the Keelung MRT will develop the most important Keelung River Valley Corridor, connecting Neihu, Nangang, Xizhi, Beiwudu, Liudu and other places, and will develop into an industrial cluster in the capital circle.

Tong Ziwei, chairman of the Keelung City Council, believes that this is an opportunity for Keelung's urban development to turn around. Now that the environmental impact assessment has been passed, the city government should show its execution power to respond to the expectations of the citizens. "Let Keelung MRT be more than just Keelung MRT." Expropriation, land planning, utilization, and development should be publicly explained as soon as possible, and the long-stalled MRT communication platform across counties, cities, and local centers should be launched, so as not to disappoint the expectations and development opportunities of Keelung people for more than 20 years.