New Taipei officials had scheduled Danjiang Bridge and three rail lines to close at 3 a.m. ET Friday, Oct. 23 (07:00 UTC), as Typhoon Champi threatened exposed routes, Focus Taiwan reported.
The New Taipei Transportation Department cited the crossing’s position at the Tamsui River mouth and its exposure to powerful gusts. It said wind and rain reaching dangerous levels could prompt an earlier closure, with one to two hours’ notice. The department recommended Guandu Bridge for trips between Tamsui and Bali while Danjiang Bridge was closed. Highway authorities will use traffic controls on Provincial Highways 61, 62, 64 and 65 as conditions require.
New Taipei Metro Corp. (NTMC) also planned to halt the Danhai and Ankeng light rail services, along with the Metro Sanying line. The company said parts of those routes cross open areas or run on elevated tracks, leaving them more exposed to gusts. Forecasts from the Central Weather Administration (CWA) and WeatherRisk Explore Inc. put gusts in suburban New Taipei at Beaufort levels 9 to 12 on Friday afternoon in Taiwan, or early Friday ET. NTMC said worsening wind and rain could bring the service suspensions forward.
The CWA issued a land warning for Champi at 11:30 p.m. ET Oct. 21 (03:30 UTC Oct. 22). Officials said they would announce when the bridge and rail lines could reopen.
