The Suao-Hualien Expressway- to build or not to build?
Thesis: The argument for constructing the Suao-Hualien Expressway has continued for many years. There are people who are in favor of it and some oppose it. As a Taiwanese, all the islanders should concern about it, even for those who are not residents in Hualien.
I. The dispute history of the Suao-Hualien Expressway
A. In 1990, the idea of the Suao-Hualien Expressway was brought out by the Ministry of Communication.
B. In March of 2000, the environmental valuation toward the Suao-Hualien Expressway was adopted.
C. In July of 2000, the project was stopped temperately because of financial problem.
D. In 2001, Environment Protection Agency indicated that the Suao-Hualien Expressway may have cause huge impact on landscape of Hualien.
E. In 2003, the Prime Minister Yo announced the construction should be stopped and slowed down.
F. After that, the dispute between the government and approvers has continued.
G. In 2004, the government announced the project would start at the end of 2004.
H. However, it is controversial and the project has not started yet.
II. The reasons of pro side
A. From the future development aspect
1. Less time-spending on traffic will attract more tourists.
2. If the expressway is accomplished, more corporations would be willing to invest in Hualien and local people would have more job opportunities.
B. From the environmental protection aspect
1. The engineering company indicates that they use ecotechnology and reduce the damage to the least.
2. The engineering company also promises that they will combine local culture into their designing ideas.
III. The reasons of con side
A. From future development aspect
1. Without expressway, the tourism could still be prosperous, such as Vancouver.
2. More tourists cause more problems, such as garbage, pollutions, and heavy traffics.
3. Hotel business in Hualien would be affected because tourists could go and return home in a day.
4. Once the construction completes, the concrete factories benefits the most.
5. The characteristics of Hualien, including beautiful sceneries and local cultures, would change.
B. From the environmental protection aspect
1. Effects on natural landscape
2. Effects on air pollution
3. Effects on water resources
4. Effects on the quality of school education
5. Effects on aborigines’ culture
IV. Analysis of Related news and interview
A. Recent news
B. Questionnaires
C. Interview with an engineer who was responsible for constructing The Suao-Hualien Expressway.
V. This construction is necessary
No one can make sure that building the Suao-Hualien Expressway or not may be the best idea. However, Western Taiwan is over-crowded and highly-developed. Some years later, moving to Eastern Taiwan and developing there are necessary. With this expressway, it will be more convenient and make Hualien more prosperous at the same time.
