Historic Kawabata Bridge reopens between Taipei and New Taipei

歷史悠久的川端橋重新開通 連接台北與新北

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The historic Kawabata Bridge, built in 1937 and one of the few substantially preserved large bridges from the Japanese colonial period, reopened Monday as a pedestrian and bicycle route connecting Taipei and New Taipei.

The bridge crosses the Xindian River. Following the completion of the new Zhongzheng Bridge, the old structure was restored and repurposed to connect surrounding riverside parks and provide views of the river, per a press release.

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) attended the evening reopening ceremony and walked across the restored bridge.

The project included structural reinforcement, restoration of the bridge’s steel beams, and improvements to the surrounding area. The bridge retains its distinctive double-column arched piers and steel-beam structure from the Japanese colonial period. Railings modeled on its original design were also installed.

Hou said the bridge represented the longstanding connection between Taipei and New Taipei and praised cooperation between the two municipalities in preserving it. He also credited Lee Shu-chuan (李四川), who served as deputy mayor in New Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taipei, for his role in the project, per CNA.

Chiang said the restoration demonstrated the two cities’ commitment to preserving historic structures while giving them new functions. “Today we witnessed the rebirth of the Kawabata Bridge,” Chiang said, noting that the cities had worked together to preserve the historic piers, Japanese-era steel beams, and original-style railings.

New Taipei’s Public Works Department said the restoration team discovered extensive corrosion in parts of the old bridge’s steel beams. The project therefore included reinforcement and restoration of the original paintwork while retaining the historic structural elements.

The bridge was expanded in 1962 and again in 1972 as traffic increased. After the new Zhongzheng Bridge was completed, the historic structure was retained rather than demolished.