Written/Reported by Li Xinyi

Just two days away from the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, traffic on national freeways will surge. To encourage the dispersal of peak-hour traffic, tolls on national freeways will be waived from 0:00 to 7:00 from January 21 to January 29. To alleviate the annual traffic jams at the Hsuehshan Tunnel, those taking intercity buses or using the alternative Route 9 (Tai 9) on January 25 to 27 may have a chance to win a tablet or a NT$5,000 voucher. Additionally, smartphone users can make use of the “Highway 1968” app or visit 168.thb.gov.tw/m to check the latest traffic conditions.

This year’s high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) restrictions will be in place from 9:00 to 15:00 on January 26 (the fourth day of the Lunar New Year) and January 27 (the fifth day). Vehicles must carry at least three passengers to enter during these times. HOV restrictions will apply to northbound entry ramps (including system interchanges) on Freeway 1 from the Kaohsiung end to the Neili Interchange, and on Freeway 3 from the Jiouru Interchange to the Daxi Interchange. Within the restricted directions, sections, and timeframes, all system interchanges and regular interchanges will be subject to control except for those directly connecting to the Hsinchu and Changhua system interchanges on Freeways 1 and 3. Previously closed entry ramps will remain shut. On January 26 and 27, the northbound entry ramps of the Puyan and Pingzhen system interchanges on Freeway 1 will be fully closed all day.

During the nine-day holiday, shoulder lanes will also be opened daily from 7:00 to 19:00 on three additional sections: Freeway 3, southbound from Daxi to Longtan (from southbound km 63K+100 to 67K+500), Freeway 3, northbound from Wufeng to Zhongtou (from northbound km 210K+550 to 209K+830), and Freeway 3, northbound from Zhulin to Guanxi (from northbound km 89K+800 to 81K+400). To reduce traffic volume at the Hsuehshan Tunnel, those traveling between Yilan and other areas by intercity bus or via alternative Route 9 (Tai 9) from January 25 to 27 will be eligible for a lottery, with a tablet and NT$5,000 voucher given away daily. Drivers traveling on Tai 9 from Yilan northbound between 15:00 and 21:00 over these three days can pick up a lottery ticket at the right side of the road at km 69 on Tai 9 in Toucheng, Yilan, and submit it to the ticket collection point at km 26 on Tai 9 in Shiding, Yilan (downstream of the North 47-1 intersection) before 22:00 to qualify. Bus passengers need to send their bus ticket stubs and contact details for these two days to No. 5-24, Yonghe Post Office, New Taipei City, by February 3 to join the lottery.

Before setting off or while on the road, drivers can check real-time traffic images and updates via the “Provincial Highway Real-Time Traffic Information Network.” The desktop version is at 168.thb.gov.tw, and the mobile version is at 168.thb.gov.tw/m. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has also printed free “2012 MOT Spring Festival Transport Network Map” leaflets, available now at freeway service areas, vehicle inspection stations, CPC Corporation gas stations, Formosa Petrochemical gas stations near freeways, and post offices. In addition, travelers can call the 1968 customer service hotline directly from their phones to check real-time traffic and find the best routes. Smartphone users can download the useful “Highway 1968” app to look up traffic info.

Alternative Routes for National Freeways:

1. Freeway 1 (Airport System to Pingzhen System, both directions): Freeway 1 Airport System Interchange → Freeway 2 → Dazhu Interchange → Route 31 → Route 66 → Freeway 1 Pingzhen System Interchange.

2. Freeway 1 (Hsinchu to Changhua [Nantou], both directions): Freeway 3 Hsinchu System Interchange → West Coast Interchange → Route 61 (Route 1) → County Route 144 → Route 76 → Freeway 1 Puyan System Interchange (→ Route 76 → Freeway 3 Zhongxing System Interchange).

3. Freeway 1 (Daya to Yuanlin, both directions): Freeway 1 Daya Interchange → Route 74 → Route 74A → Route 1 → County Route 148 → Freeway 1 Yuanlin Interchange.

4. Freeway 3 (Guanshan to Tucheng, northbound): Freeway 3 Guanshan Interchange → County Route 118 → Route 3 → Route 3B → Route 4 → Route 3 → Freeway 3 Tucheng Interchange.

5. Freeway 3 (Douliu to Wufeng, northbound): Freeway 3 Douliu Interchange → Route 3 → Freeway 3 Wufeng Interchange.

6. Freeway 3 (Xindian to Freeway 5 Toucheng, both directions): Freeway 3 Xindian Interchange → Zhongxing Road → Route 9 → Freeway 5 Toucheng Interchange.

Spring Festival Transport Zone:www.thb.gov.tw

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