New Construction Office

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Ministry of Labor hosted the 2024 Construction Golden Safety Awards for Promoting Occupational Safety and Health, with the awards ceremony held on November 22, 2024, at True Love Garden Hotel in Taichung. The New Construction Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government earned the Excellence Award in Group E for Public Works with the Minquan Bridge Superstructure Reconstruction Turnkey Project! The Office's construction team aspired to set a model example for safe bridge reconstruction in Taiwan, demonstrating robust soft and hard power in construction. By implementing a unique “truss beam work vehicle” method to mitigate construction risks, the Office maximized workplace safety. This recognition by the country's foremost authority on construction safety holds special significance for both the Office and its construction team! Hsiao Chih-lung, Head of the Public Works Division at the New Construction Office, noted that many of Taipei’s older bridges built in the early days are now entering the reconstruction phase. Among the numerous bridges serving the city, Minquan Bridge, located on Minquan East-West Road—the first planned road in Taipei—connects key facilities such as Taiwan's first Songshan Airport and the privately- financed Neihu Technology Park. After 42 years of its completion, inspections have detected sagging at the cantilever joints between the P6 and P7 piers over the river, causing road surface subsidence and posing safety risks for drivers. After professional assessment, the New Construction Office initiated plans to demolish and rebuild the 215-meter-long section of the bridge between piers P5 and P8 with a new steel structure. This not only improves the bridge's structure but also enhances its seismic resistance. Hsiao Chih-lung elaborated that the Minquan Bridge reconstruction project, situated in a riverside area, initially considered using scaffolding over the river to accommodate various construction phases. As the managing authority, the New Construction Office incorporated the most rigorous safety standards into the turnkey project. Genyeh Engineering Consultant Co Ltd., responsible for project management, evaluated the environmental conditions and required bidders to propose safety strategies for beam dismantling and hoisting, traffic management during construction, excavation support, utility detection, and BIM conflict analysis, ensuring robust safety measures from the very beginning. CECI Nova Technology Co., Ltd., responsible for the design, conducted a detailed risk analysis of the project using a high-risk matrix to tackle potential hazards such as falls, water exposure, heat risks, and confined spaces. They recommended that the initial scaffolding method be changed to a cantilever method, significantly minimizing the scale of temporary structures and waterside operations. The company also devised proper construction guidelines, drawings, and budgets, equipping contractors with ample resources to deliver their professional expertise effectively. Hung Chen-ju, Head of the Central Public Works Office of the Public Works Division, noted that Chun Yuan Construction Co., Ltd. led the on-site execution planning, working closely with Genyeh Engineering Consultant Co Ltd., which also acted as the supervisory unit. The project prioritized risk mitigation by transforming the traditional cantilever launching method into an innovative technique that integrated truss beam work vehicles with chainsaw cutting, creating a novel application for existing tools! This new method centered on hazard reduction through mechanization, placing workers in safe environments to operate machinery for cutting and removing concrete structures and hoisting steel components. By eliminating fall risks entirely, the project supported the Ministry of Labor’s 2024 Fall Prevention campaign. Additionally, it addressed potential dangers from structural collapses, traffic impacts, and vibrations, while implementing robust measures to control and mitigate residual risks, lowering overall hazard levels. Hung Chen-ju concluded by noting that the construction team worked responsibly and tirelessly throughout the project, excelling in areas such as professional personnel training, mechanized construction, prefabrication of components, integration of disaster-mitigation technologies, standardization of design, and visualized safety. These efforts ensured comprehensive safety, meeting the team’s original aspirations for the project and achieving robust risk management and safety goals. Emerging as a standout among many teams committed to construction safety, the New Construction Office expressed heartfelt gratitude, reaffirming its dedication to leading the construction team in its mission to strengthen construction safety for Taiwan. The Office aims to provide citizens with more comfortable and well-equipped public facilities. 

 The Ministry of Transportation and Communications hosted the “2024 Golden Road Award Ceremony” on November 15, 2024, at the Auditorium on the 5th floor of Taipei Main Station. Taipei City claimed the top spot in the national evaluation for road condition maintenance (municipalities), highlighting the city's commitment and hard work in improving the road environment. Taipei City oversees eight highways, with a combined maintenance route length of 73.287 kilometers. These include essential urban arteries linking New Taipei City and key mountain routes, all prioritized for maintenance by the city government. To address traffic needs and ensure road quality, the city government conducts regular inspections, repairs, upgrades, and disaster response for roads, bridges, and associated infrastructure through open contracts. Additionally, annual maintenance plans and road section updates are determined based on specific evaluation criteria, while innovative advanced technologies and experiences from both domestic and international sources are introduced to improve road maintenance effectiveness. Moreover, systems for road management inquiry and excavation management have been established to streamline excavation management, consolidate maintenance records, and enhance operational efficiency. The New Construction Office has focused not only on enhancing road smoothness but also on advancing smart management practices. By introducing a groundbreaking visual management system, it strives to improve accessible pedestrian spaces and ensure seamless pedestrian network connectivity. Pilot initiatives in Zhongshan and Datong Districts have implemented performance-based contracts for road paving, incorporating PCI data analysis to assess pavement quality. These initiatives have achieved great results and received significant recognition in the evaluation. This time, Taipei City earned top marks in the evaluation for its effective policy initiatives and on-the-ground execution. This not only highlights the city government’s commitment to cross-departmental collaboration and its dedication to serving citizens but also serves as a significant encouragement and honor for staff at all levels involved in the work. Looking ahead, the Taipei City Government will build on this success, further refining its efforts to create a more user-friendly and comfortable transportation environment, enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.

The New Construction Office, Public Works Bureau, Taipei City Government has been recognized once again. It won the National Golden Award for Architecture for the Nanmen Building and Market Reconstruction Turnkey Project. The awards ceremony was hosted by the Republic of China National Enterprise Competitiveness Development Association at CPC Building's Guoguang Hall on October 22, 2024.  The New Construction Office noted that the Nanmen Building and Market Reconstruction Turnkey Project was awarded on May 31, 2019, and completed on October 4, 2023. Throughout the process, the project team engaged in active communication with market vendors and various units involved. The design work was carried out by Bio Architecture Formosana, known for its achievements in constructing green buildings such as Taipei Public Library - Beitou Branch. This project, based on the design concept of “Taipei's Heartbeat,” focuses on bringing abundant natural light from the north into the indoor space, making this market area bright and open. The new Nanmen Building is located near the entrances and exits of the two metro lines, forming a tight connection with the city and linking the transportation system with the market. This fosters a mutually beneficial relationship and encourages purchases, enhancing the market's vitality. During the period of Japanese rule, Nanmen Market served as an outdoor marketplace of Chitose Town beyond the South Gate. Over time, it has seen multiple reconstructions and is Taipei's oldest public traditional market. It has been known for its offerings of Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisine and dry foods. However, due to its outdated structure that fails to meet current seismic code, along with inadequate mechanical and electrical systems for modern market demands, the Taipei City Government initiated the Nanmen Building and Market Reconstruction Turnkey Project. The construction of Nanmen Market faced many challenges, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased costs for labor and materials, a cramped site with tricky logistics, and delays due to the rainy season during steelwork. However, thanks to the combined efforts of the city government's team in coordinating resources and the awarded contractor's engineering team displaying unwavering commitment and teamwork, they managed to persist and overcome obstacles, successfully completing the Nanmen Market construction on schedule. With the opening of the new Nanmen Market, its facilities, lighting, and hygiene have all reached a high standard. Combined with the strong vendor community, the market is set to become a new landmark in Taipei. The city government will keep working with different departments, such as the Department of Information and Tourism and the Department of Transportation, to further improve the market's accessibility, especially with the future completion of the MRT Wanda Line. Additionally, ongoing promotion efforts will be made for Nanmen Market to become a bustling hub and a true icon of Taipei.

The New Construction Office, Public Works Bureau, Taipei City Government has received recognition once again. On September 11, 2024, at the awards ceremony held by the Organizer of the Chinese Architectural Golden Stone Award at the CPC Building's Guoguang Hall, the following three projects were awarded the Golden Stone Award for Excellent Public Construction/Excellent Space Revitalization: “Nanmen Building and Market Renovation Turnkey Project,” “Taipei City Wenshan District Lixing Elementary School Activity Center New Construction Project,” and “Taipei City Songshan District Xisong Elementary School Activity Center New Construction Project.” The “Nanmen Building and Market Renovation Turnkey Project” adopts top-down construction to shorten the project timeline, successfully facilitating the early return of vendors while reducing the disruptions caused by noise and dust during construction. Valuable suggestions from local community leaders and residents were also taken into account and incorporated after evaluation. The project establishes visual connections between different floors and the urban surroundings, allowing ample northern natural light to penetrate indoors, thus creating a bright and open market space. In addition to providing a comfortable resting and social space for elderly shoppers, it also attracts younger generations, creating a new customer base for the century-old Nanmen Market. This makes the new Nanmen Building closely connected to local culture while being environmentally friendly and utilizing resources effectively. The “Taipei City Wenshan District Lixing Elementary School Activity Center New Construction Project” features a building with five stories above ground and one below. It includes an elevated running track, a sports court, a swimming pool, a library, classrooms, offices, and activity areas designed to accommodate students' needs for indoor gatherings, activities, and sports. The design team focused on the Five Ways of Life, aiming to alleviate the school's current lack of activity spaces while promoting community engagement and fostering a welcoming atmosphere. Located at the boundary of Muzha and Wenshan Districts, the school sits at the crossroads of the city and a natural riverside green corridor. The design of the activity platform expands the students' space and links it to the riverside playground, creating a versatile area that integrates greenery. This fosters a friendly learning environment and establishes a new focal point within the local sports and recreation greenbelt, offering residents various sports facilities and platforms. It also aligns with the school's educational objectives of promoting diversity, inclusivity, and respect while establishing a new hub for community life that fosters holistic education, integrating learning with everyday experiences. The “Taipei City Songshan District Xisong Elementary School Activity Center New Construction Project” involves a steel structure building with 2 basement levels and 6 above-ground levels, with public facilities such as a swimming pool, a kindergarten, an auditorium, a practice classroom, a rhythm classroom, a multifunctional community space, a multi-sport court, a stage, a track, and an underground parking lot. This project aims to address the long-standing lack of large indoor activity space for the school and will also support community development in partnership with social education institutions to promote local cultural life. Additionally, to improve the urban landscape around the campus while addressing the pressing parking needs of nearby residents, the project includes plans for 256 car parking spaces and 280 scooter parking spaces, aiming to achieve the goal of shared use of campus space and sports facilities with the community.