TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan High Speed Rail is set to extend to Pingtung by 2039, marking the final phase of the north-south railway.
The Cabinet approved the extension project at the end of last year, requiring a two-stage environmental impact assessment process starting in August. If completed on schedule, the review could take about three years, followed by an estimated 11-year construction period, per UDN.
The railway has been in operation for more than 18 years. Initially running between Taipei and Zuoying with eight stations. The system expanded in 2015 with the addition of Miaoli, Changhua, and Yunlin stations. Nangang Station was added in 2016, bringing the total to 12 stations.
The line has helped create a one-day living circle connecting north and south Taiwan. The Pingtung extension is expected to enhance transportation accessibility further.
The planned route of the extension will span 26.2 kilometers, extending south from Zuoying Station through Kaohsiung to Liukuaicuo in Pingtung. Construction will primarily use shield tunneling, with some sections built using cut-and-cover tunnels and elevated structures.
The section connecting Kaohsiung Station will be built underground, sharing facilities with Taiwan Railways and Kaohsiung Metro Red Line. The Pingtung station will be in Liukuaicuo, on land owned by Taiwan Sugar, with an elevated station integrated with the existing TRA Liukuaicuo Station, per UDN.
Officials say the railway extension is linked to other major development projects such as Pingtung Science Park and a planned sports and leisure park, positioning it as a future industrial hub to boost local economic growth. A dedicated maintenance base will also be built to ensure operational safety and efficiency.
Construction will involve excavating and transporting approximately 4.84 million cubic meters of soil. Work will be carried out in phases to minimize disruptions to traffic, air quality, and the surrounding environment. Authorities have also proposed measures to mitigate potential congestion during construction.
