History
As one of the New Ten Major Construction Projects, a rail system to connect Taoyuan International Airport with existing transportation hubs was announced. This metro route was originally planned to be constructed as a BOT project. In 1998, the project was auctioned to Evertransit International Development Corp. (長生國際開發), a subsidiary of Ever Fortune Industrial Co. (長億實業). However, the company failed to begin the construction, and in 2003, the government cancelled the contract.
After the BOT project failed to go through, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) decided to build the line directly from the government budget. The terminus in Taipei was shifted from Ximen to Taipei Main Station to facilitate transfers to other forms of public transportation (inclduing TRA and THSR). There were disagreements between the MOTC and the Taipei City Government regarding the exact location of the terminal station. The MOTC preferred an elevated station just north of the Taipei Main Station, while the City Government wanted it built underground just west of Chengde Road. The MOTC's plan was less expensive and would require less time to construct, but it would have obstructed the scenery of the surrounding area. The two sides finally compromised, agreeing to build the station underground with the City Government covering the additional cost. The revised project was approved in September 2004 and construction began on September 25, 2006.
A special industrial zone is planned around the THSR Taoyuan Station area. Land acquisition for the Sanchong City section totaled 2.07 ha (20,700 m3) and cost NT$1.4 billion, including land and buildings.
Read more about this topic: Taoyuan International Airport MRT
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