TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency announced that the entire Alishan Forestry Railway will be opened and operational on July 1.

The full 71.4 km railway line begins in Chiayi and travels to various stations within Alishan Forest Recreation Park. The opening of the full railway will create a corridor for eco-tourism, allowing visitors to experience tropical, subtropical, and temperate forests.

The Alishan Forestry Railway was badly damaged by Typhoon Morakot (2009) and Typhoon Dujuan (2015), limiting service along the line. To restore full operations, the government proposed a 15-year plan with a budget of NT$2.3 billion (US$72 million), per CNA.

Damage from Typhoon Morakot alone required six years of repairs, with the line originally scheduled to be opened by the end of 2015. However, Typhoon Dujuan damaged large sections of track from Shizilu Station to Pingzhena Station and Tunnel No. 42.

Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency official Lee Yun-chung (李允中) said rebuilding damaged tracks was difficult due to low temperatures, dense fog, and special geographical characteristics. Transporting machinery and materials to remote areas where the tracks were damaged was also difficult.

Lee said tunnel reconstruction work took place around the clock, with the majority of tunnel repair completed on Dec. 20. In addition to track work, new railway cars were also purchased and older engines refurbished, preparing the way for a grand re-opening of this historic, 112-year-old railway.