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Central Cross-island HighwayThe Central cross-island highway (中部橫貫公路) is one of three highway systems that connect the west coast with the east of Taiwan. It is Taiwan Highway route number 8. Construction Construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway began on July 7th, 1956 and it was first opened to traffic on May 9th 1960. Route The route of the highway begins in the west at Dongshih (東勢) in Taichung County (台中縣). It then continues up into the Central mountain range following the Tachia River (大甲溪) valley through the townships of Kukuan and Chingshan. Leaving the river at the Techi Reservoir (德基水庫) it then arrives at Lishan where there is a branch that heads north to Ilan (宜蘭市). Passing through the mountains it reaches Tayuling which is the highest point of the route. Here another branch of the highway runs south from Tayuling to Wushe. Continuing east from Tayuling the highway route now begins its descent into the Taroko National Park (太魯閣國家公園). It passes through Kuanyun, Tzuen, Loshao and Tienhsiang (天祥) before entering Taroko Gorge. After the gorge the route then connects up with the eastern coastal Suao-Hualien Highway (蘇花公路). Highway damage The highway route runs through exceedingly rugged and unstable terrain. Heavy rain from typhoons often dislodge soil and rocks onto the highway making sections of it unpassable. As well, the area is prone to seismic activity which can have disastrous effects on the highway. On September 21st, 1999 the Chi-Chi earthquake caused massive damage to the highway and cut the highway in multiple places between Dongshih and Lishan. This section of the highway has been closed and under repair through to 2004. Future of highway Following the unprecented damage to the highway in 1999 there has been strong debate on the feasibility and desirability of maintaining and repairing the highway. However repair work has proceeded. After extensive and costly work, earthquake damaged sections of the highway were due to be re-opened in 2004 when tropical storm Mindulle struck the area with torrential rains, again causing extensive damage to the highway and delaying the re-opening. See also Highway System in Taiwan External Links
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