Taipei:A new tunnel in Taipei's Nangang District has opened, aiming to significantly reduce travel time by connecting Zhongxiao East Road with the National Biotechnology Research Park (NBRP). The Shengji Tunnel, inaugurated on Monday, is expected to alleviate peak hour congestion on Zhongxiao East Road Section 7 and Academia Road.

According to Focus Taiwan, Deputy Interior Minister Wu Tang-an stated that the development of the NBRP has spurred business and employment growth in Nangang, leading to increased demand for transportation infrastructure. The central government funded the NT$1.878 billion (US$59.07 million) tunnel, which addresses traffic bottlenecks between Section 7 of Zhongxiao East Road and Lane 130, Section 1 of Academia Road, and enhances connectivity with nearby transportation hubs.

The new tunnel not only reduces travel time for residents and commuters but also serves as an alternative route during emergencies, such as flooding, on Academia Road. It includes a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle path, providing additional convenience and safety for non-vehicular traffic.

The National Biotechnology Research Park, situated near Academia Sinica, spans 14.19 hectares and accommodates several institutions, including the Biomedical Translation Research Center and the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration. The newly completed route is approximately 824 meters long, with a tunnel section measuring about 716 meters.

Academia Sinica President Chen Chien-jen remarked at the ceremony that the tunnel will ease traffic around the park and bolster the development of a biomedical research and biotechnology corridor in Nangang. The NBRP, which opened in October 2018, now hosts over 2,600 researchers and professionals. The new tunnel cuts travel time between the NBRP and the Nangang Station area from around 15-20 minutes during peak hours to less than 10 minutes.