TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION OF THE TAIPEI MRT

Taipei, Taiwan, a city of 2.5 million, began construction of its mass transit subway system in 1989. The approved network comprises two systems: The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and the MCT (Medium Capacity Transit). Construction of this phase is scheduled to be completed in 1998. The MRT is approximately 64 km long, includes 44.5 km of underground tunnels and has 57 stations, most of which are underground. The alignment primarily follows Taipei's main thoroughfares within the inner city resulting in many of the stations and tunnels to be within close proximity to adjacent building structures. Taipei has the second largest population density of all cities in the Far East and is well known for its traffic congestion. The construction of the mass transit system has not only magnified the traffic problems, it has also disrupted local businesses and residents along the alignment. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 873033.