Chapter 1 Preface
Destruction caused by the September 21 Jiji Earthquake was unprecedented in modern Taiwan history. Among the most damaging effects of the earthquake was its impact on bridges, both near the epicenter and in surrounding regions. With each affected bridge disrupting life for local residents as well as the economy, the DGH knew it needed to start the repair process quickly.
Before work could begin, however, there were many questions to be answered. Should the bridges be rebuilt in the same location or another site? Should the Bridge Collapse Prevention System or the Advanced Support System be used? Should bridges be strengthened or only rebuilt, and what methods should be used? And should upgrades be made to new bridges that followed seismic design and construction regulations from 1995?
Discussion needed to proceed quickly because the temporary bridges and roads used before work was completed were an imperfect solution. Heavy rain or river surges could destroy them, leading to more work and traffic problems. And if new techniques were to be used, engineers accustomed to pre-stressed concrete needed to learn how to build steel bridges and all-casing piling foundations.
Recognizing the urgency of the task at hand, the DGH made decisions quickly. On February 21, 2000, it began with repairs to Shiwei Bridge, located along the Chelongpu fault line that passes Provincial Highway 3. Also along the highway workers repaired or rebuilt the Dongfeng, Wuxi, Maoluosi, and Mingzhu bridges, as well as the Putou Bridge on County Road 149 in Yunlin’s Caolin. Outside the epicenter area they worked on Xinxinan Bridge on County Road 127, Yanfeng Bridge on Provincial Highway 14, as well as the Yijiang and Tongtou bridges. The last project finished before the three-year anniversary of the quake was Jilu Bridge, which had suffered beam column and cap beam damage due to severe shear failure.
One after another, these repaired and rebuilt bridges opened to the public, bringing life for disaster victims closer to what it was like before the earthquake struck. Their happiness was the DGH’s greatest reward.