Nantou, Taiwan, Aug. 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Saturday that he is very happy to see the restoration of the Anting Bay tunnel -- the sole connecting pass between Nantou County's two popular mountain resorts of Hsitou and Shanlinhsi in central Taiwan.
Addressing an inaugural ceremony for the new tunnel, Chen said he still remembers the distress he felt when he first saw the seriously damaged Anting Bay tunnel more than three years ago.
The tunnel tumbled in the devastating magnitude 7.3 earthquake that rattled Taiwan Sept. 21, 1999. Military servicemen managed to repair it a year later, but it was heavily damaged again in July 2001 when Typhoon Toraji swept across the island.
The collapse of this only connecting pass between Hsitou and Shanlinhsi dealt a severe blow to the local tourist industry, Chen said, adding that he has made four visits to the construction site over the past four years. "I felt a bit of comfort only after I saw during my visit this May that the boring work on the tunnel had been completed, " Chen recalled, adding that he appreciates the concerted efforts of the relevant government agencies and private contractors in completing the difficult construction project ahead of schedule.
The project was originally scheduled for completion in October 2004. Thanks to the exceptional efficiency demonstrated by the relevant government agencies and private contractors in carrying out bidding and construction work, the project was completed more than a year ahead of schedule.