[Politics] Miaoli-Zhunan adjacent track construction accident, Taiwan Railways resumes service before 1 PM today.
bellala 央廣4h ago
Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) had an accident near the tracks between Zhunan and Miaoli early this morning (18th), causing the section to be temporarily passable only by single-line bidirectional traffic. In response, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications, Wu Sheng-yuan, explained the cause of the accident during his testimony at the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee and promised to submit a review report within one month. #CNA reporter Wu Li-chun reporting#
At around 4 AM on the morning of the day before the Dragon Boat Festival, the state-owned Taiwan Railways Company experienced an incident where an excavator, while trimming trees on a railway bridge between Miaoli and Zhunan during maintenance hours, accidentally overturned. This has resulted in the section currently only being passable by single-line bidirectional traffic on the eastern main line.
In response, Legislator Li Kun-tse pointed out at the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee that in 2021, before the Suhua Tunnel on the North-Link Line, a Taroko Express train derailed due to a construction vehicle overturning, causing major casualties. In 2022, the collapse of the Dongnan Cement Tower in Kaohsiung also caused significant delays to both railway systems. The major casualties or significant delays caused by these two incidents near the tracks are still fresh in the minds of the public. He questioned Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications, Wu Sheng-yuan, about the reasons for this latest accident involving trackside engineering.
Wu Sheng-yuan stated that the accident was caused by the carelessness of a contractor commissioned by TRA. He said: "(Original sound) This was operated by a contractor commissioned by TRA. Because trees sometimes encroach on the tracks, tree trimming was being done. Since only the track was accessible and the sides were not, to trim the trees, they had to enter from the track. The excavator's tracks were supposed to be replaced with rubber wheels to protect the tracks. Because they were trimming trees, the excavator was modified with a cutting head on top. While operating, its arm extended too far, causing an imbalance in its center of gravity, and it tipped over."
TRA stated that it established a Level 1 emergency response team at 6 AM and expects to clear the western main line by 1 PM to restore normal bidirectional service. During this period, 14 train services between Zhunan and Miaoli will be suspended. All reserved-seat trains will make additional stops at Zhunan and Miaoli, and standing room tickets will be available for the mountain line section.
However, Legislator Hung Meng-kai believes that since the High-Speed Rail experienced a major delay a month ago, TRA should also review whether there are more appropriate construction methods for trimming trees. Wu Sheng-yuan promised to instruct TRA to submit a review report within one month. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215213
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