1. Project Innovation

(1) Edutainment: The design philosophy emphasizes making irrigation canals visible and accessible. Bike paths along the main canal routes allow the public to safely approach and experience these waterways. By opening up previously restricted spaces along the canals, cyclists can contribute to community efforts by monitoring and reporting issues, potentially reducing illegal dumping along the routes.

(2) Landscape Enhancement: The landscaping design incorporates native tree species as well as locally suitable fruit trees in certain sections, enhancing the diversity of plantings and creating a rural atmosphere. Once the fruit trees mature, they may attract visitors for fruit picking, further engaging the community.

(3) Beyond canal improvement and patrol road construction, the project thoughtfully integrates green spaces and optimizes the bike path design to maximize the area’s utility.

2. Project Challenges

(1) Construction Challenges: The project required the completion of approximately 900 meters of a large canal during the dry season. To maintain both speed and quality, the contractor utilized steel molds and mobilized multiple work crews and machinery simultaneously, accelerating the construction process and reducing the timeline.

(2) Cross-Departmental Communication: The route passes through local and county roads (Xinsheng Road and County Road 145A), necessitating coordination with various governing bodies (County Public Works Department, Township Office, County Police Department, Taiwan Power Company, etc.). Through multiple site inspections and negotiations, a shared vision was achieved, demonstrating effective cross-departmental communication and cooperation, leading to a win-win outcome.

(3) Visual Appearances: The project placed a strong emphasis on the smoothness and alignment of construction lines, with stringent control over accuracy during the construction phase. This ensured a visually appealing result, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience.

3. Project Comprehensiveness

(1) Given that the Zhuo Main Canal has high turbidity and a gentle slope, which can easily lead to sediment accumulation, the project includes the design and construction of a dedicated dredging road for future maintenance and management.

(2) To ensure the long-term durability and comfort of the bicycle path, the surface was finished with a brushed polycarbonate (PC) layer, making it easy to maintain and manage.

(3) During the planning and design phases, the project team carefully considered local residents' perspectives on the community’s ecological environment. The team engaged in thorough communication and coordination with community associations to ensure comprehensiveness and practicality. Throughout the construction process, special care was taken to minimize impacts on the surrounding environment. These efforts ensured that the project was completed on schedule while meeting the expected quality standards.

1. Outstanding Achievements of the Project

(1) Thanks to comprehensive occupational safety and health education, as well as strict adherence to safe construction practices, the project experienced zero workplace accidents throughout the entire construction period. Quality control and progress management were consistently maintained at a high level, resulting in an A rating from supervisory authorities during inspections. Additionally, the team fostered strong relationships with the community, as there were no public complaints or reports regarding the construction during the project’s duration.

(2) The project successfully integrated local cultural elements with the irrigation canal, creating rest areas that feature the community’s "Garlic Man" mascot to guide visitors on their tour. This approach enhances greenway users’ understanding of local folk customs and strengthens the connection between the canal and the community’s cultural identity.

2. Significant Benefits of the Project

(1) Upon completion, the project will directly reduce water seepage by approximately 1.2 million tons annually, stabilizing the irrigation supply and reducing farmers' reliance on groundwater pumping. Indirectly, it will decrease carbon emissions from energy use and effectively mitigate land subsidence.

(2) The project provides a more stable irrigation water supply, improving farming conditions and increasing farmers' incomes. It revitalizes rural areas, creating opportunities for rural regeneration and helping the public appreciate the government’s efforts to support agriculture and promote sustainable water resource management policies.

(3) The Zhuo Main Canal runs through the northern end of the Chianan Plain, primarily irrigating the region from south of the Zhuoshui River to north of the Beigang River. The "Zhuo Main Canal and North Main Canal Connection Project" integrates public recreational amenities with water resource management. By connecting the Zhuo Main Canal and the North Main Canal, the project redefines water distribution, enabling mutual support between the "North-to-South Water Diversion" and the "South-to-North Water Allocation." This initiative assigns new roles to century-old irrigation canals, transforming them into regional recreational and exercise routes, while helping the public gain a deeper understanding of water management facilities.