Danhai light rail transit project (LRT) is a light rail line in the Danshui district of New Taipei City. It connects Hongshulin MRT Station to Danhai New Town.
Construction on phase one of the line began in 2014, while the line began its services in December 2018.
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The light rail is developed by China Steel Corporation, along with its subsidiaries United Steel Engineering & Construction Corporation and Taiwan Rolling Stock Company.
A comprehensive planning report for the project was approved in February 2013 by the central government.
The multi-phased project was built at a cost of TWD31.357bn ($998.39m), whereas the first phase involved an investment of TWD9.699bn ($308.81m).
The line served approximately 1.85 million passengers to date.
Danhai LRT project purpose
The Danhai light rail transit project establishes a robust public transport system to deal with the growing population of Danhai, a popular township that has been created recently. Danhai’s population is expected to grow to 340,000 by 2041.
The phase one line handles 80,000 passenger rides a day, while an additional 50,000 new residents are expected to move to Danhai New Township.
Danhai LRT details
The light rail encompasses two transit lines, namely the Green Mountain line and the Blue Seaside line, along with one depot. It comprises both elevated and surface tracks.
A total of 13.99km of tracks have been laid as part of the project, and 20 stations were constructed along the two transit lines. The project also includes the construction of rails, bridges, depot facilities, media and energy provisions.
The first phase of the LRT covers a distance of 9.7km, including a 5.2km at-grade section and a 4.5km elevated section. The initial phase included the construction of 11 stations along the Green Mountain route and three stations on the Blue Sea route, as well as the depot.
The second phase of the Danhai light rail transit project will cover the construction of the remaining stations of the Blue Seaside line and will be completed in 2025.
Planned route and stations
The Green Mountain line has a total of 11 stations, while the Blue Seaside route includes nine stations. The Green Mountain line stretches for approximately 8km and links the centre of the New Taipei City with Danhai, while the Blue Seaside will connect the coast to the city centre.
The Green Mountain Line starts from the Hongshulin MRT station and runs along Shuiyuan Street, Beixin Road, Binhai Road and Shalun Road before ending near the Danhai New Town project.
The Blue Seaside line will have three stops and terminate at Fishermen Wharf Station.
Rolling stock for the Danhai light rail transit
The first phase is operated with 15 34.5m-long, bi-directional trams with a low-floor design and five separate sections. Designed to be standard gauge, the trams run for longer distances and across track sections without overhead wires. They are also designed to store additional energy.
A prototype was delivered by the end of 2016, with the first tram began operating on Green Mountain line in 2018.
Contractors involved
Rail vehicles are supplied by Taiwan Rolling Stock Company in collaboration with Voith Engineering Services.
Voith is responsible for the tram development, which includes the concept, design, commissioning and analysis. It also provides training to employees of Taiwan Rolling Stock Company.
Voith produces the prototype vehicle, as well as support production and factory planning. It also designs the fixtures for welding assemblies and integrate system components.
A €17m ($19.02m) contract was awarded to Thales for providing the signalling, communications and operational control centre system, while an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for track work has been awarded to CTCI Corporation.
Pandrol was selected to supply its track fastening solutions along with installation and maintenance equipment and rail safety products for the Danhai LRT. It will also install its QTrack embedded track system.
A contract for independent verification and validation for civil, electrical, mechanical and rolling stock of the project has been awarded to TÜV Rheinland Greater China.
ABB supplied its Compact Converter BORDLINE® CC400 equipped with an energy storage system for the project.
