Taichung is moving ahead with a metro line linking its airport to the city center, good news for commuters and construction firms but a heavy bill for local taxpayers.

• The central government has signed off in principle on the feasibility study for the airport metro's orange line.
• The city has already put out a tender worth about NT$980 million for planning, environmental review, and basic design work.
• The line would run about 29 kilometers with 26 stations, connecting the airport to the train station, the university district, and the software park.
• Total cost is estimated at roughly NT$160 billion, with the city on the hook for more than half.
• Construction is expected to take about 12 years once final approval comes through, and the line would link up with the existing green line and the blue line now being built.

Outlook: Bidding closes at the end of August, after which detailed planning and the environmental review begin, with the cost split between city and central government still open to revision.