TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Ongoing improvements to the Suhua Highway on Taiwan’s east coast passed an environmental assessment on Tuesday (Aug. 6), clearing the way for a better connection to National Highway No. 5.

The environmental assessment will lead to a construction development plan to be delivered later this year, with the completion scheduled for 2032. Local authorities believe the project will improve traffic from Yilan to Hualien and offer motorists more protection from natural disasters.

National Highway 5 does not directly connect to the Suhua Highway, requiring motorists to exit at the Suao Interchange and pass through urban areas before accessing the highway. During long weekends, a high volume of vehicles can cause traffic jams and disrupt local traffic, per CNA.

Suao Township Mayor Lee Ming-zhe (李明哲) said earthquakes and landslides lead to frequent road interruptions on the Suhua Highway near Chaoyang (朝陽) and Nanqiang (南強). Lee said the project will not only improve traffic on Taiwan’s east coast but also disaster resilience.

Yilan County Magistrate Lin Zi-miao (林姿妙) said in a press release that she was grateful to the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Environment for attaching great importance to the construction of Yilan's transportation network and safety. Transportation quality and tourism in Yilan County will improve, she said.

Yilan's transportation department said the Suhua Highway from Dongao to Nanao continues to be prone to rock falls and landslides, leading to frequent traffic bottlenecks that impact residents and people traveling to and from Hualien. It said highway improvement is needed not only in terms of road safety but also for tourism.