The Taoyuan Metropolitan Area Railway Underground Project is being undertaken to address the growing transportation needs of passengers in the Taoyuan metropolitan area in Taiwan.
Led by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), the project is estimated to require an investment of approximately T$104.79bn ($3.28bn).
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The feasibility study for the project was sanctioned in July 2017, and the comprehensive plan received approval in September 2020.
The project is expected to be completed in December 2030.
Taoyuan Metropolitan Area Railway Underground Project details
The Taoyuan Metropolitan Area Railway Underground Project will transform the Taiwan Railway line section in Taoyuan City into an underground transport network as the existing railway tracks are hampering the development of the city centre.
In addition, the project will enable the railway line to handle the increased number of passengers in the city and provide upgraded facilities.
The project will move three existing stations at Taoyuan, Neili, and Zhongli underground and construct five new underground stations at Fengming, Zhongli, Taoyuan Hospital, Zhongyuan, and Pingzhen.
The project route spans approximately 17.94km, comprising the 2.12km Fengming section and the 15.82km Taoyuan section.
It commences at the northern end of the Fengming Land Bridge in Yingge District, New Taipei City and extends to the southern boundary of Tai Line 66 in Pingzhen District, Taoyuan City.
The railway line will intersect with the Taoyuan Mass Rapid Transit system’s Green Line at the Taoyuan station.
Taoyuan station details
The ground-breaking ceremony for the new Taoyuan underground station was held in July 2024. Situated in the historic city centre, the 39,000m² station will boast a large covered plaza that integrates commercial areas, a metro and bus station, and the underground railway line.
The station design features a large roof canopy, supported by slender columns, designed to give an impression of floating above the site.
The canopy’s origami aeroplane shape, complete with a soffit pattern and linear lighting, will create a dynamic ceiling effect.
The station’s central circulation will offer multidirectional access to the platforms while lighting and landscaping will enhance navigation and add greenery to the urban landscape.
The amenities at the station will include a café, convenience store, restaurant, and souvenir shop. A subsequent phase will introduce a multistorey building on the station’s east side, offering commercial and office spaces.
Pingzhen station
The Pingzhen underground station will be 341m long, and 17m wide. It will be situated 15m below ground, across two levels.
A temporary station at Pingzhen is being built until the new underground station is ready. Construction on the station began in November 2022 with completion anticipated by May 2026.
The provisional above-ground station will be 44m long, 6.5m wide, and 10m high, spanning two levels.
Zhongli station
The Zhongli underground station will be 1,266m long, comprising a 730m-long cut-and-cover tunnel and a 536m fully enclosed top-down underground section.
The tunnel section will be a slab beam structure while the station section will be a slab beam and beam column structure.
To maintain traffic flow, a temporary station was erected at Zhongli. The temporary station’s construction started in June 2022 and the station was opened in June 2024.
The temporary station will be dismantled after the underground station is completed.
Fengming station
Currently, a temporary station is being built for Fengming to serve the public until the permanent station is ready.
The unmanned station will feature two side platforms, each 3m wide and 220m long, and will include rain shelter facilities.
Completion of the temporary station is expected by December 2024.
Construction details
The construction of the project is divided into various packages.
The CJ18 PingZhen Commuter Station package includes civil engineering and mechanical and electrical (M&E) works for the PingZhen station, including the construction of a temporary above-ground station and a permanent underground station, as well as a 3.73km underground twin railway track by cut and cover method.
It also encompasses ZhongFeng bridge protection and relocation of the LaoJie river bridge.
The CJ17 package involving the Zhongli underground station will include the construction of the station, the demolition of the temporary station building, the protection of adjacent buildings, and the construction of Xinjiexi Creek Bridge along with associated works.
Project financing
The project is financed by approximately T$78.59bn from the central government, T$25.74bn from the Taoyuan Municipal Government, and T$455m from the New Taipei City Government.
Contractors involved
The CJ18 PingZhen Commuter Station contract was awarded to a joint venture between Gamuda (60%) and AWEC (40%) in October 2022.
Taiwan-based engineering company, Continental Engineering, secured the civil engineering and M&E system works contract for the CJ17 package in March 2024.
The architectural design for Taoyuan station was provided by Mecanoo, a Netherlands-based architecture company, along with Sinotech.
