National Freeway 3

National Freeway 3
Name	National Freeway 3
Country	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Type	Freeway
Length km	424
Established	1993
Direction a	North
Terminus a	Keelung
Direction b	South
Terminus b	Pingtung

National Freeway 3 is a major north–south controlled-access highway in the Republic of China, connecting the port city of Keelung in the north with Pingtung in the south. The route traverses industrial, urban, and mountainous regions, linking nodes such as Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung while paralleling Provincial Highway 61 (Taiwan), intersecting with National Freeway 1 (Taiwan) and National Freeway 10 (Taiwan), and serving freight, commuter, and long-distance traffic.

Route description

The freeway begins near the Port of Keelung and proceeds through the Keelung River corridor into Taipei, passing close to landmarks like Zhongxiao Road, Taipei Main Station, and the National Palace Museum before skirting New Taipei City industrial zones. Southbound, it continues through Taoyuan City with interchanges serving Taoyuan International Airport and the Hsinchu Science Park, then crosses the Zhudong foothills toward Miaoli County and Taichung, linking suburban nodes including Changhua County and Yunlin County. The central section negotiates the western foothills near Alishan and connects to Tainan urban districts, before descending into the Kaohsiung metropolitan area and terminating in Pingtung County. Along the corridor the freeway interfaces with rail corridors such as the Taiwan High Speed Rail and conventional lines operated by Taiwan Railways Administration, and provides access to ports like Kaohsiung Port and industrial parks such as Nanzih Export Processing Zone.

History

Planning for the route began amid infrastructure expansion in the late 20th century, influenced by projects like National Freeway 1 (Taiwan), investments linked to the Ten Major Construction Projects (Taiwan), and regional economic shifts involving Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company suppliers and export sectors. Construction phases mirrored efforts seen in Taipei Rapid Transit System development, with major sections opened between the 1980s and 1990s, and formal designation in 1993. Subsequent upgrades responded to events including typhoons such as Typhoon Morakot (2009), seismic activity tied to the Chi-Chi earthquake aftermath, and evolving standards from agencies like the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Taiwan). Over time interchanges were expanded near hubs like Taoyuan Aerotropolis and modified for projects connected to Free Economic Pilot Zones and urban redevelopment initiatives in Kaohsiung City.

Major junctions and interchanges

Key nodes include the northern terminus near Port of Keelung, major interchanges with National Freeway 1 (Taiwan) at Taoyuan, the connection to National Freeway 4 (Taiwan) serving Taoyuan International Airport, junctions near Hsinchu providing access to Hsinchu Science Park, the Taichung complex linking to Provincial Highway 74 (Taichung), interchange clusters at Tainan connecting to National Freeway 8 (Taiwan), and the Kaohsiung megaregional junctions feeding Kaohsiung Port and Kaohsiung International Airport. Peripheral links include ramps serving Changhua Coastal Industrial Park, access roads to Sun Moon Lake via provincial routes, and connectors to Pingtung agricultural zones.

Services and facilities

Service areas provide amenities comparable to those near Taoyuan International Airport and ports, offering fuel from brands operating in Taiwan, convenience retail akin to outlets in Taipei 101 commercial districts, traveler restrooms, and vehicle repair services maintained to standards promoted by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Taiwan). Truck parking and weigh stations support logistics flows tied to Kaohsiung Port and export clusters, while emergency callboxes and traffic monitoring CCTV integrate with systems used by Taiwan Traffic Management Center. Several rest areas are sited close to tourist gateways such as Alishan National Scenic Area and cultural sites like Anping District in Tainan.

Traffic volume and safety

Traffic patterns reflect commuter peaks into Taipei and Kaohsiung and freight surges near industrial zones like the Nanzi Export Processing Zone and Hsinchu Science Park, with seasonal spikes during holidays tied to Chinese New Year travel and events at venues such as National Taiwan University Stadium. Safety initiatives have referenced practices from agencies including the National Fire Agency (Taiwan) and police coordination modeled on metropolitan units in New Taipei City, using dynamic message signs, added median barriers, and slope stabilization in mountainous sections similar to projects undertaken after the Chi-Chi earthquake. Accident statistics prompted targeted countermeasures at interchanges and along steep gradients, with enforcement campaigns coordinated with the National Police Agency (Taiwan).

Future developments and projects

Planned works include widening of congested segments influenced by urban growth in Taoyuan and Kaohsiung, interchange redesigns to support Taoyuan Aerotropolis and Greater Taichung Metropolitan Area expansion, and resilience projects incorporating lessons from Typhoon Morakot (2009). Integration with the Taiwan Railways Administration and Taiwan High Speed Rail nodes is proposed to enhance multimodal freight corridors connecting Kaohsiung Port and northern export hubs, and feasibility studies reference sustainability goals consistent with initiatives by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Taiwan). Community consultations involve local authorities in Miaoli County, Changhua County, and Tainan City regarding noise mitigation, land use, and interchange access.

Category:Roads in Taiwan