Dele Rika Bridge Introduction
Maolin District is located in the mountainous area of Kaohsiung, where the magnificent mountains and rivers are intricately connected with indigenous culture on this beautiful land. Due to the damage caused by Typhoon Morakot in 2009, the external roads were severely damaged, and in order to ensure the safety of local residents and tourists, the Dele Erhga Bridge was completed in 2013 at a cost of NT$700 million. "Dele Erhga" is the pronunciation of "Maolin" in the Rukai language. The bridge is 880 meters long and 10 meters wide, with a maximum clearance height of 52 meters, making it the third highest prestressed box girder bridge in the country. The design of the Dele Erhga Bridge specifically avoids scouring at the bridge pier locations, with the pier foundations extending up to 38 meters deep to withstand the swift currents of Zhuokou Creek. The elevated design of the bridge stands above the winding river of Zhuokou Creek, reflecting the lush green mountains and integrating with Maolin's unique terrain. It has not only become a new landmark in the Maolin area but also won a gold medal in the finals of the "2013 Global International Livable City Competition" organized by the United Nations Environment Programme.
