The Dajiaxi Iron Bridge becomes the first cross-county cultural asset; Taichung City and Miaoli County governments jointly designate it as a historic monument

The Dajiaxi Iron Bridge is one of only three surviving lattice steel railway bridges in Taiwan today. (Photo: Chen Shufen)

Taichung City has seen its first cross-county cultural asset. The Cultural Heritage Division of Taichung City Government stated that both Taichung and Miaoli counties have passed cultural heritage reviews and will jointly announce the century-old Dajiaxi Iron Bridge, which straddles their border, as a historic monument. The Dajiaxi Iron Bridge is one of only three surviving lattice steel railway bridges in Taiwan. Taichung City and Miaoli County governments will jointly assist the Taiwan Railways Administration in planning and preserving the bridge, and are also planning to integrate it with the nearby historic Tai’an Railway Station to extend and revitalize the cultural tourism area.

The Dajiaxi Iron Bridge was constructed in 1903 and completed in 1908, with a total length of 637.39 meters. It is located near the south entrance of Tunnel No. 7 in Sanyi, Miaoli, and the border of Houli, Taichung. It served as a key bridge for transporting goods during the Japanese colonial period and facilitated north-south connections. The bridge features a masonry and stone structure with a steel truss system categorized as a “through Pratt truss,” showcasing the construction techniques of the era.

The Cultural Heritage Division noted that both the Taichung City Government and Miaoli County Government had nominated the Dajiaxi Iron Bridge for inclusion in the cultural assets list. After being reviewed by the Taichung City Historic Monuments, Historical Buildings, Settlements, and Cultural Landscapes Review Committee and the Miaoli County Tangible Cultural Assets Review Committee, it was agreed to designate the structure as the “Taiwan Railways Administration Old Mountain Line – Dajiaxi Iron Bridge” as a historic monument. On November 23, 2017, the two county/city governments jointly issued the official announcement.

According to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, the “Taiwan Railways Administration Old Mountain Line – Dajiaxi Iron Bridge” is divided along the central line of the bridge’s length. The southern section falls under the jurisdiction of the Taichung City Government, while the northern section is overseen by the Miaoli County Government. Matters concerning the entire bridge shall be discussed and reviewed either jointly or individually by the two local governments. In cases where authority is unclear, the two governments will engage in consultation.