TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday began construction of an MRT line that will form part of a loop around Taipei and New Taipei when finished.

The Taipei MRT Bureau said the groundbreaking marked the start of a 1.45-kilometer part of the Circular Line through Shilin previously delayed by the pandemic and supply issues. The bureau said the section will eventually be part of a connection between Jiannan Road Station and New Taipei Industrial Park Station, per Taiwan's China Times.

Central and local government officials attended the groundbreaking. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) invited guests to pray for the project’s smooth and on-time completion.

The Taipei MRT Bureau said the line will solve traffic problems between New Taipei and Taipei, and Shilin and Neihu. It expects the trip time between Shilin Station and New Taipei Industrial Park to be halved.

The bureau said the project will pass under the Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) MRT line. Chiang asked people using the line to be patient if delays occur during construction.

Chiang said more MRT transport options would shorten travel times, improve transport efficiency, and reduce reliance on private vehicles. He said this will improve air quality and produce less carbon.

Eventually, the 1.45-kilometer section will be part of a loop around Taipei and New Taipei. Other planned parts of the loop will connect Xindian to Taipei Zoo station via Wenshan, and the zoo with Nangang via Xinyi.

Taipei and New Taipei are also working on a “sky blue line” that will connect Taipei's Dadaocheng with Keelung. Chiang said the construction works show the MRT system is advancing at an “unstoppable pace.”