Taipei, May 22 (CNA) A light rail transit (LRT) system under construction in Tamsui District, New Taipei passed an initial environmental impact assessment (EIA) on Monday, and the first phase of the system might begin service in late 2018, according to the company responsible for building the system.
The Danhai Light Rail Transit System finally passed initial review Monday at the second joint conference of a special panel under the Environmental Protection Administration, Hsinchu-based Taiwan Rolling Stock Co. (TRSC) said.
The light rail will encompass two transit lines -- the Green Mountain line and the Blue Seaside line -- along with one depot.
A total of 13.99 kilometers of track will be laid as part of the project, and 20 stations will be constructed along the two lines, according to the company.
If the project passes subsequent EIAs, the first phase of the LRT -- the Green Mountain line -- which will start from the Hongshulin mass rapid transit station and end near the Danhai New Town project, is expected to start operations in late 2018 to help relieve some of the traffic congestion on the Tamsui-Jinshan highway, the company said.
The phase-one line is expected to handle 40,000 passenger rides per day in the initial period of its operations, it added.
