Hsuehshan Tunnel, Road tunnel in Pinglin District, Taiwan
The Hsuehshan Tunnel runs nearly 13 kilometers through the mountain mass, linking Pinglin District south of the capital with Toucheng Township on the eastern coast. The two parallel tubes carry traffic beneath the range, with ventilation shafts and emergency exits built into the side walls at several points.
Construction began in July 1991 after engineers spent years planning the route to link the heavily populated western regions with the less developed eastern coast. Completion in June 2006 followed 15 years of work, during which groundwater and difficult rock layers repeatedly delayed progress.
The name comes from the Xueshan mountain range, which once separated the western plains from the eastern coast and made travel difficult. Commuters and travelers now use the tubes daily to move between the capital and the coast, changing how many people organize their everyday routines.
The speed limit sits around 90 kilometers per hour (about 55 mph), and cameras monitor traffic along the entire route while speakers broadcast updates when needed. Drivers should follow signs and prepare for changing light conditions, especially when exiting the tubes on bright days.
Workers encountered more than 30 water inflows during construction, which combined sent around 3 million liters per day into the tubes and severely hindered progress. Engineers developed special sealing techniques to stop the infiltration and keep the structure dry.
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