Traffic condition on first working day after stage 1 commissioning of Central-Wan Chai Bypass
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For the eastbound traffic, since the down ramp of Rumsey Street Flyover has been closed, motorists using the Rumsey Street Flyover can follow the middle and slow lanes along Man Po Street to go to Central. The TD noticed that during the peak hours this morning, some motorists may not be familiar with the new routes and mainly used the slow lane of Man Po Street to go to Central, resulting in vehicles moving at slow speed. The TD has immediately reminded motorists via the Variable Message Signs that they can use the middle lane of Man Po Street to go to Central. Improvement works for the traffic signs and road markings will be conducted tonight for completion tomorrow morning.
As for the westbound traffic, during the stage 1 commissioning of the CWB, the link road connecting the CWB and Rumsey Street Flyover westbound is still under construction. As we have anticipated earlier, the traffic on Harcourt Road, Connaught Road Central and in the vicinity of the Central Tunnel Portal of the CWB was relatively busy this afternoon. In addition, there was an incident of vehicle breakdown and traffic was getting busy in the evening, resulting in traffic congestion. The Police had already conducted traffic management on site and adjusted traffic light signals to divert the traffic.
Moreover, the TD will continue to closely monitor and examine the road condition of individual road sections in order to implement appropriate enhancement measures, such as adjusting traffic light signals and adding traffic signs and road markings.
For public transport services, four bus routes using the CWB have commenced service today and they are in normal operation. The TD has requested the bus companies to remind bus captains to pay attention to the traffic signs and road markings on the CWB and roads in its vicinity.
The TD anticipates that traffic will be relatively busy in the vicinity of the Central Tunnel Portal and Connaught Road Central during the morning and evening hours at the stage 1 commissioning of the CWB. Motorists are advised to plan their journey in advance and allow more travelling time. Motorists are also advised to use original routes such as Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road and Connaught Road Central to travel to the Central and Western District during peak hours. For eastbound traffic, apart from using the Connaught Road Central Flyover and Man Po Street to travel to Admiralty, the Mid-Levels, Wan Chai South and Causeway Bay, motorists can also use the at-grade roads including Connaught Road Central and Man Kat Street to go to the aforementioned locations during peak hours.
The TD's ETCC, the Highways Department, the Police and public transport operators will continue to closely monitor the traffic condition and implement contingency measures when necessary to ensure smooth traffic and normal operation of public transport services, as well as disseminate the latest traffic news to the public through TD's "HKeMobility" mobile application and the media. The Police will deploy additional manpower in the vicinity of the Central Tunnel Portal of the CWB to strengthen the traffic management.
Ends/Monday, January 21, 2019
Issued at HKT 22:31
Issued at HKT 22:31
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