Taiwan to upgrade coastal highwayTaiwan's Council for Economic Planning and Development has approved a EUR985 million plan to upgrade the Suhua Highway, linking Yilan County and Hualien City, also known as Highway n.9. Work includes shortening the existing 118 km-long single-lane highway by 16.7 km, and adding new viaducts, bridges and tunnels to replace dangerous sections. A 3.3 km tunnel is required between Suao and Dongao; two tunnels to connect Nanao and Heping, 8.3 and 4.7 km long respectively; and a short tunnel between Heping and Chongde. The width of the road will also be expanded from 7-10 m to 10-16 m, enabling a speed limit increase from 40 km/h to 60 km/h, and cutting travel time between Suao, Yilan, and Hualien from the current two hours to 72 minutes, with enhanced safety.Most work is needed on the 77 km section between Suao and Chongde Township, which lies at the entrance to the central cross-island highway leading to Taroko Gorge, and is affected by landslides and other hazards. An evaluation of the environmental impact of the highway is underway, and contracts are expected to be awarded in late-2010 for completion by 2016. Visit www.moi.gov.tw. 19/10.