New Interchange Project for Section of National Freeway No. 1 Passing Through Hsinchu Science Park

New Interchange Project for Section of National Freeway No. 1 Passing Through Hsinchu Science Park

Plan for Ecological Methods

• To match local conditions, the special characteristic of this project is to use local materials. This project is located along the Chungshan Freeway where it crosses the boundary separating Luzhu and Alian Township. The area is an interchange covering 1 to 2 kilometers, and while the size is almost too small to mention in terms of the influence on an ecological system, it can be considered an ecological niche. This project's main drainage channels are arranged to converge on a main channel on the west side of the freeway near some small villages. Therefore, in this project we will use opportunities created by the detour and rebuilding to employ ecological methods in the hope of improving this point in the overall ecological system. The completion of the project will comprehensively restore the ecology, helping to create a natural and superior environment for the area.
• Regarding the ecological methods for this project, the first priority is to improve water quality. After that, the establishment of a foundation for a natural ecological environment in a sequence of steps will create a natural foundation that is consonant with basic ecological needs. Therefore, based on this project’s environmental and geographic conditions, this project will divide the west side of the freeway into five ecological areas. Please refer to Figure 7.4-1 Ecological Engineering Work. A description of each area’s special characteristics and engineering work follows below:
  
  1.Drainage channels made from stone blocks or wire-bound rocks
  This area is on the freeway’s west side and because ramp access must be detoured or rebuilt, and because of land and safety considerations, we hope to use protective construction to create a nearly natural ecology with many niches to prevent erosion, and the natural material will also aid growth of plant life and help form a natural covering of plants, minimizing impact on the scenery. For details, refer to 7.4-2.
  
  2.Settling ponds and drainage channels to improve water quality
  Settling ponds can help isolate sources of pollution and eliminate sediment, and are very beneficial in improving the water quality in large drainage areas. The most commonly seen types are L-shaped, beak-shaped, bladder-shaped, rectangular, star-shaped and oval-shaped. The key points of design for settling ponds are as follows:
  (1) To the greatest extent possible, use a number of small ponds to replace large solitary ponds.
  (2) To the greatest extent possible, use natural materials to replace traditional concrete or liquid stone material.
  (3) In determining the capacity, soil erosion or frequent removal of deposits of soil and rock should be taken into consideration.
  (4) Special consideration should be given to later maintenance and management. In the design of a maintenance road to clear away road obstructions, we should consider the need to use machinery to directly move deposits of soil and rock and prevent flood water from flowing across the road.
  (5) Water exiting ponds should flow through drainage pipes to help eliminate sudden accumulations of water and prevent breeding of insects, ruining the environment.
  (6) Places where water enters ponds should be kept free of obstructions that might slow the flow of water.