Hualien, July 4 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian came here Friday to attend a ceremony marking the completion of an electrification project for the North-Link Railway between Ilan and Hualien in eastern Taiwan.
Chen said at the ceremony that the completion of the railway electrification project is worthy of celebration, because it will facilitate the economic development of eastern Taiwan. As a result of electrification, the transportation capacity of the 88-kilometer railway will increase by more than 30 percent, and the time to travel between Taipei and Hualien by express train will be reduced from three hours to two and a half hours.
Chen said the government has attached great importance to the improvement of transportation in eastern Taiwan. He expressed the hope that the Ministry of Transporatation and Communications will make a new investment to improve the quality of service on the eastern line so as to help develop the tourist industry in eastern Taiwan.