New Taipei's Danjiang Bridge draws crowds before opening

新北淡江大橋在通車前吸引了許多遊客。

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei’s Danjiang Bridge drew large crowds over the holiday weekend as a two-day arts festival gave the public a preview ahead of its official opening.

According to the Highway Bureau, about 150,000 people attended the festivities, which featured a range of activities allowing visitors to experience the bridge up close, per CNA.

The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on May 12. In the lead-up, a series of events, including walking, running, and cycling activities, has been held, with a final weekend of celebrations planned.

Over the holiday weekend, organized activities included “Crossing Tamsui: Starry Sky Concert” and “Coming Together, Tamsui Day and Night.”

Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) visited the event on Sunday, touring booths hosted by agencies and companies, including the Highway Bureau, Taipei Motor Vehicles Office, Chunghwa Post, and Gogoro.

Chen said the new bridge will not only improve transportation convenience but also boost tourism in Tamsui, Bali, and along Taiwan’s north coast by integrating regional transport and tourism resources. He also reviewed on-site arrangements, focusing on crowd flow, safety measures, and service facilities such as portable restrooms, per CNA.

Officials said a final celebratory event is planned for May 9, titled “Thanksgiving, Beautiful Night,” featuring musical performances and a tribute to the engineers involved in the bridge’s construction.

The event will also include a drone show with more than 600 drones, as well as a special performance by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, which will present a new work inspired by the theme of connection, reflecting the bridge’s role spanning the Tamsui River estuary.