Xiluo Bridge Explained

Xiluo Bridge
Native Name:西螺大橋
Native Name Lang:zh
Coordinates:23.8129°N 120.4609°W
Locale:Xiluo, Yunlin County and Xizhou, Changhua County in Taiwan
Design:bridge
Length:1,939.03 meters
Begin:October 1937
Complete:25 December 1952
Opening:-->
Inaugurated:24 January 1953

The Xiluo Bridge is a bridge connecting Xiluo Township in Yunlin County and Xizhou Township in Changhua County in Taiwan crossing over Zhuoshui River.[1]

History

Empire of Japan

On 24 March 1936, the local people of the area set up a committee to construct a bridge over the Zhuoshui River. They pledged construction effort to the Japanese government and work began in October 1937. As of March 1940, 32 piers had been completed. However, construction was suspended after the outbreak of war against the United States on 7 December 1941. The Japanese government then moved the materials for the bridge to Hainan, Republic of China.

Republic of China

After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China in 1945, the Xiluo Bridge Reconstruction Committee was established in 1948. On 26 January 1950, personnel from Taiwan Provincial Government, legislators, engineers of Economic Cooperation Administration, Council for United States (US) Aids conducted a site survey. In 1951, the US Government spent US$1.3 million for the steel material and the Taiwan Provincial Government also provided NT$6 million for the project. The Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corporation and the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs were in charge of the bridge erection and painting projects respectively. The construction of the bridge resumed on 28 May 1952 and completed on 25 December the same year. The inauguration ceremony of the bridge was held on 24 January 1953.[2]

Technical detail

The bridge spans over a length of 1,939.03 meters with 31 arches.

Transportation

The bridge is accessible by bus from Douliu Station of Taiwan Railways.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Siluo Township Office,Yunlin County . Hsilo.gov.tw . 2014-06-01.
  2. Web site: Taiwan Industry Economical Archives-TMMC Archives-Brilliant History-Xiluo Bridge . Theme.archives.gov.tw . 2014-06-01.
  3. Web site: Attractions > Hot Spots > Yunlin County > Xiluo Bridge > . Eng.taiwan.net.tw . 2014-06-01.