Although it was called the Beiyi Freeway (Chinese abbreviation for Taipei to Yilan) prior to its final completion in June 2006, the official name is the Chiang Wei-shui Memorial Freeway, after the early twentieth century Taiwanese political activist and Yilan native Chiang Wei-shui.

The separation distance is 50 m. Only a toll station named and located in Toucheng, Yilan County is now active.

Pinglin IC located in Taipei water preservation area, is temporarily opened before the Hsuehshan Tunnel completed.

It would be between Nan-ao, Yilan and Heping, Hualien, and would cost approximately NT$30 billion to build.

The project was intended to improve dangerous sections between Suao and Chongde; the MOTC said it will start construction in 2011.