Traffic busy on 1st working day of traffic diversion

    At a joint press briefing this afternoon (June 13), Deputy Commissioner for Transport, Mr Lau Ka-keung, said observation this morning revealed that motorists needed time to become familiar with the new traffic arrangements.

    As part of the measures to relieve the eastbound traffic flow at Gloucester Road, two franchised bus routes No 2 (Eastern District bound) and No 70 (Aberdeen bound) will be diverted from 4.30pm to skip stops on Lockhart Road and Gloucester Road. The diversion, which will last for three days until Wednesday (June 15), could reduce the weaving movements of buses cutting across four lanes on Gloucester Road to observe the bus stop.

    Passengers are advised to note the diversion of Routes 2 and 70 will take place at different time periods. For Route 2, the diversion period started from 4.30pm today continuously until the last departure on June 15 (Wednesday). For Route 70, it will be only from 4.30pm to the last departure daily on June 13, 14 and 15.

    The affected bus stops will have notice posted and bus operators have sent staff on site to help passengers.

    The department will closely monitor the traffic conditions this evening peak and the next few days through the activation of the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre.

    Mr Lau advised motorists to familiarise themselves with the traffic diversion scheme, drive carefully, observe the traffic signs and road markings in the vicinity and follow the advice given from police officers on site.

    Also speaking at the press briefing, Project Manager of Highways Department's Major Works Project Management Office, Mr Adrian Ng, said in view of public feedback and site observations, traffic signs would be improved to contain more information.

    "For example, the eastbound lane on Gloucester Road leading to Causeway Bay and North Point has been under utilised this morning," Mr Ng said. "Additional wordings advising motorists that the lane can lead to both Causeway Bay and North Point has been added to the signs. It is hoped that the maximising of this traffic lane will alleviate the traffic flow of the other eastbound lanes."

    The following arrangements have been implemented and will last throughout the reconstruction of the flyover for about 24 months:

A. Re-arrangement of traffic lanes on Gloucester Road and Victoria Park Road eastbound:

      The three rightmost traffic lanes of Victoria Park Road eastbound between the access road to Causeway Bay Promenade and the upramp of Island Eastern Corridor has been closed.  The affected traffic lanes have been temporarily re-provided at Causeway Bay Promenade and the traffic has been diverted to the temporary carriageway with the following new arrangements:  

* Traffic on the leftmost traffic lane of Victoria Park Road eastbound has been directed to North Point only;

* Traffic on the second and third leftmost traffic lane of Victoria Park Road eastbound has been directed to North Point/ Island Eastern Corridor; and

* Traffic on the rightmost lane of Victoria Park Road eastbound has been directed to Causeway Bay Flyover for Tai Hang and/or Causeway Bay.  

B. Traffic Diversions at Cross Harbour Tunnel Exit and Hung Hing Road flyover:

* Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading to North Point has been diverted to the first exit road at the left;  

* Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading to Causeway Bay has been diverted to the second exit road at the left;

* Traffic from Hung Hing Road Flyover has been directed to North Point and Island Eastern Corridor only.

    Motorists in Wan Chai North heading to Causeway Bay and/or Tai Hang might consider the following alternative diversion routes:  

* Motorists on Harbour Road eastbound west of Fleming Road might divert via Fleming Road northbound, U-turn, Fleming Road southbound, Gloucester Road eastbound, Victoria Park Road eastbound and Causeway Bay Flyover;  

* Motorists on Harbour Road eastbound east of Fleming Road might divert via Tonnochy Road northbound, Convention Avenue westbound, Fleming Road southbound, Gloucester Road eastbound, Victoria Park Road eastbound and Causeway Bay Flyover;  

* Motorists on Expo Drive southbound might divert via Fleming Road southbound, Gloucester Road eastbound, Victoria Park Road eastbound and Causeway Bay Flyover;

* Motorists on Tonnochy Road northbound or Marsh Road northbound might divert via Convention Avenue westbound, Fleming Road southbound, Gloucester Road eastbound, Victoria Park Road eastbound and Causeway Bay Flyover; and

* Motorists on Convention Avenue eastbound or Hung Hing Road eastbound might divert via Hung Hing Road flyover, Gloucester Road eastbound, Victoria Park Road eastbound, Wing Hing Street, King's Road westbound and Causeway Road.

    Cross Harbour Bus route nos. 914X and 948P on journeys to Causeway Bay have been diverted via Fleming Road northbound, Wan Chai Ferry Pier Bus Terminus, Fleming Road southbound at-grade, Gloucester Road eastbound, Victoria Park Road eastbound and Causeway Bay Flyover before resuming their original routings.

    The bus stops for the above routes on Harbour Road outside Wan Chai Swimming Pool and at Convention Avenue outside Wan Chai Ferry Pier have been relocated to Wan Chai Ferry Pier Bus Terminus.  

    Cross Harbour Bus route no. 307 on journeys to Tai Po have been diverted via Arsenal Street Flyover, Gloucester Road eastbound, Victoria Park Road eastbound and Causeway Bay flyover before resuming its original routing.

    The bus stops for the above route on Harbour Road outside Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Wan Chai Swimming Pool have been relocated to Gloucester Road outside Immigration Tower.

    Details of the above arrangements had been uploaded onto the Transport Department's website http://www.info.gov.hk/td/eng/notice/specialtravel/specialtravel_index.html

    A series of publicity items were in place to enhance public awareness of the traffic and transport arrangements. These items included announcement through the press and radio; radio broadcast inside the Cross Harbour Tunnel; distribution of information leaflets and erection of banners. For enquiries, please dial 1823 or 2804 2600.

    Motorists are advised to pay attention to the broadcast about the latest traffic situations. Appropriate traffic aids have been erected to guide motorists and notices have been displayed by bus companies to advise passengers of the changes.

Ends/Monday, June 13, 2005