Taiwan is planning to invest TWD40bn ($1bn) to improve the transport service and safety on the Suhua (Suao-Hualien) Highway.

The 77km highway will be contracted to 60.3km by building two new tunnels, according to chinapost.com.

The move would reduce travelling time for motorists from an average of 120 minutes to 72 minutes.

Certain sections of the highway will also be partially revised to avoid problems from mudslides and falling rocks.

The Suhua Highway improvement project is scheduled for completion in 2016.

The construction contracts are expected to be awarded later this year or by early next year.