Taiwan opens longest traffic tunnel in Asia

TAIPEI, June 16 (Reuters) Taiwan today opened the longest road tunnel in Asia a 13-km thoroughfare under a mountain that took 15 years to build and helps link the northern part of the island with the south.

Two presidents and eight premiers have presided over the 3 billion dollars Hsuehshan, or Snow Mountain, project since it was launched on July 15, 1991, the government-run Central News Agency said.

The Hsuehshan Tunnel is the fourth longest tunnel opened to traffic in the world, an official with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications told Reuters. Thirteen people died during its construction.

REUTERS SB KP1633