An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale hit Hualien on April 3, causing landslides and rockfalls along the Suhua Highway, which resulted in road closures. Furthermore, the Xiaqingshui Bridge at the northern end of Daqingshui Tunnel was destroyed by rockfalls, leading to road interruption. Specialists from the bridge inspection consulting company conducted an on-site assessment, revealing that the 1960s era Xiaqingshui Bridge was primarily damaged by large rocks weighing over 30 tons each. The preliminary assessment suggested that these rocks, falling from high slopes, exerted an impact force of at least 60 to 90 tons. The Xiaqingshui Bridge is a single-span 25-meter reinforced concrete I-beam bridge. According to the design standards at the time, the bridge was designed to withstand an impact of approximately 15 tons; this was exceeded by over four times, leading to the bridge’s collapse. Fortunately, the upstream-side Old Xiaqingshui Bridge built during the Japanese colonial era avoided the rockfall impact. Specialists who inspected the site determined that the bridge abutment structure and bearing capacity were still good, but the main girders had severe rust, exposing the reinforcements. The Eastern Region Branch Office of Highway Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) urgently dispatched backup H-beams from the Yuli Branch. 12-meter-long emergency steel beams were installed on the 10-meter-long bridge deck, replacing the deck structure of the old bridge. The bridge was reopened to traffic on April 6.
The Xiaqingshui Bridge will undergo subsequent medium-term safety upgrades to optimize the emergency access road and is expected to reopen for large vehicles by the end of May. The long-term reconstruction project will incorporate rockfall paths into the design considerations and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The Highway Bureau urges motorists to exercise caution, as mountain roads are prone to rockfalls following earthquakes. Heavy rainfall or continuous rain can also lead to unpredictable road conditions. Do not enter mountainous areas after disasters unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, road users should pay attention to weather information and road blockage updates, plan their trips accordingly, and prepare for contingencies. Please make full use of the Highway Bureau’s Provincial Highway Real Time Information Service (https://168.thb.gov.tw), or download the Happy Buck app on your mobile phone and tune in to traffic broadcast messages to stay updated on the latest road conditions. The Highway Bureau wishes everyone a safe journey!
Contact Information:
Unit in charge: Eastern Region Branch Office of the Highway Bureau, MOTC
Road Condition Inquiry: 0963-317025
Contact Person: Planning Department Chief Chen Chung-Cheng