TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The New Taipei Metro (MRT) Circular Line resumed full operation Thursday at noon after being disrupted by an earthquake in April.
The April 3 earthquake in Hualien caused multiple track displacements on the line. Repairs were initially estimated to take until June next year, per Yahoo News.
The construction team accelerated the process through continuous review and improved engineering methods. Safety tests have also been conducted.
The earthquake resulted in significant damage to the elevated railway tracks between Banshin and Qiaohe stations, displacing 11 steel box girder bridges. Four were moderately displaced, ranging from 3.5 to 6 cm, while seven suffered severe shifts, ranging from 20 to 92 cm, per CNA.
A team of nine experts and scholars was assembled to investigate the causes of the damage. The New Taipei City Professional Civil Engineers Association took part in on-site inspections of the beams and columns to assess structural damage.
Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) announced Thursday morning that service between Banqiao and Zhonghe stations will resume at noon today, restoring full operation to the entire line.