Civic groups protest pedestrian overpass demolition
Civic groups protest pedestrian overpass demolition
2024-11-06
The issue of whether or not to demolish the pedestrian overpass at the Heping-Xinsheng intersection in Taipei has sparked a heated debate. The city government has temporarily suspended its demolition plan amid calls for its preservation. However, Mayor Chiang Wan-an pointed out the overpass is barely used by anyone and has urged officials to move forward with the plan, provided there is adequate communication. On Wednesday, the organizer of the "Save the Heping-Xinsheng Overpass" campaign spoke out, asking the mayor to fulfill his promise of continuing dialogue.
Colorful prints and graffiti fill the Heping-Xinsheng bridge. The pedestrian overpass was scheduled to be demolished on Monday, but the plan was suspended amid a sense of reluctance and nostalgia. For many, this overpass is more than just a pedestrian bridge. It’s a symbol of memories.
Local resident
If you’re feeling down at night, and it’s too late to go somewhere else, this area is very bright and safe, so people often come to this overpass. Some just sit here and space out, while others, like dog walkers, also find this bridge useful.
Local resident
The Civil Engineers Association has already come to inspect the house, take photos, and assess how the situation will be once the overpass is demolished. They’re checking if the walls might crack or if any other issues could arise, in case the ground might sink.
Standing for 42 years, the Heping-Xinsheng overpass has become a local landmark. On it, there are now wedding photos taken there years ago, as well as colorful sticky notes with heartfelt messages expressing the desire to preserve the bridge. A “Save the Bridge” campaign was launched in response to the city government’s decision to move forward with demolition. Opponents of the demolition claim that although the mayor had promised continued communication, they have yet to see any genuine effort or sincerity in fulfilling that commitment.
Lin Wen-chun
Campaign organizer
Large-scale events are held at Da’an Forest Park, which is a designated disaster prevention park. Having an additional overpass could provide more options for evacuation, allowing people to move more quickly in case of an emergency. If a disaster or urgent situation were to occur and an evacuation is needed, having an extra route would definitely help with crowd dispersal and ensure a smoother evacuation process.
Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
The Heping-Xinsheng overpass sometimes has an actual usage rate of less than 10%. If former Mayor Huang Ta-chou had not demolished the Chunghwa Market back then, there wouldn’t be today’s Zhonghua Road, nor the bustling Ximen District. When it comes to the right thing, we’ll stick to it, speak boldly, and act decisively.
The Transportation Department pointed out that the four supporting pillars of the overpass at its intersections are like “large A-pillars for vehicles,” creating visual blind spots when turning. It’s a tough chasm between collective memory and safety concerns.
For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53
北市和平新生天橋將拆除 民團盼市府兌現"溝通承諾"
2024-11-06
台北市和平新生天橋拆除與否，引發兩派論戰。儘管有民團發起保留，市府暫緩拆除計畫。但市長蔣萬安認為，天橋實際使用率不到一成，要求官員不要父子騎驢，做好溝通說明就大膽做。守護和平新生天橋發起人林玫君今天出面，喊話市府應先完成相關交通配套措施，請市長兌現’’持續溝通’’承諾。
台北和平新生天橋，拆除暫緩第二天，橋上五顏六色彩繪海報，充滿不捨。對不少人來說，這座天橋不只是用來過馬路。
[[當地居民]]
“晚上如果心情不好的話，如果太晚了，這附近很亮又安全的地方就是這邊，所以大家就會來這天橋，可能發呆呀之類的，或是像溜狗的人，他們也會需要這個天橋”
[[當地居民]]
“土木技師協會已到家裡來看屋況、照相，就是以後(天橋)拆了，(房子)裡面會怎麼樣，有沒有會裂呀或什麼的，因為地可能會下陷”
在地佇立42年，和平新生天橋上，有人張貼當年取景的婚紗照，也有五顏六色便利貼，一字一句想守護天橋，甚至因為市長蔣萬安拍板要拆，傳出已有人要發動"守橋"。反拆發起人不滿當初市長說好持續溝通，卻沒看到誠意。
[[守護和平新生天橋發起人 林玟君]]
“大型的活動舉辦在大安森林公園，但大安森林是一個防災公園，其實多了一個天橋選擇，可能讓民眾疏散速度更加快速。萬一有緊急狀況發生，天災發生，大家需要進行疏散的時候，多一個選擇絕對是人流疏散有幫助”
[[台北市長 蔣萬安]]
“新生和平天橋，實際的使用率有時不到一成，當初黃大洲市長，如果沒有拆除中華商場，哪裡會有今天的中華路，以及熱鬧的西門町。對的事情，我們要堅持，勇敢地說，大膽地做”
交通局指出，天橋4個路口墩柱，有如"行車大A柱"，形成轉彎視覺死角，在蔣萬安「對的事情要堅持」力挺下，天橋只怕想留也留不住。
更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00
Related News
