New Taipei, Sept. 29 (CNA) New Taipei will submit a revised plan for the second phase of its light rail network in Tamsui to the central government in October due to opposition from residents living along the planned route, a city official said Tuesday.
During a city government meeting on the Danhai Light Rail Transit system's construction, Lin Yao-chang, deputy head of the city's Department of Rapid Transit Systems, reported about changes to the Blue Seaside Line that runs alongside the Tamsui River.
While the first phase of the line, which will connect the existing Green Mountain Line to Tamsui Fishermen's Wharf via Taipei University of Marine Technology and Shalun, is expected to enter service by the end of this year, the second phase has faced opposition from local residents, he said.
The second phase of the line, which will link the Tamsui MRT station with Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, has a section that runs through the Tamsui Old Street in the current plan.
However, following a series of discussions with local residents, the department is to come up with a modified route and financial plan to be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in October.
The modification will include the entire 4.4-kilometer light rail line to be built alongside the Tamsui River, according to Lin.
In addition, to avoid the impact on the riverside view from the overhead power lines that would be required, the department will study the possibility of the vehicles to be used on the line being battery- powered, he added.
The department plans to begin an environmental impact comparative analysis for the modified plan by the end of this year.
The NT$15.3 billion (US$527.1 million) Danhai Light Rail project was approved by the Cabinet in 2013, with the first of its two lines -- the 11-stop Green Mountain Line -- entering service in December 2018.
