Bypass New Bypass Due To Jams, Drivers Told

Just hours after the new Central-Wan Chai Bypass opened on Sunday, transport officials warned of congestion and urged motorists to use an alternative route.

Reports said at one point in the afternoon, some drivers were stuck in the tunnel for half an hour as they tried to exit at Central.

Transport officials said drivers going to Western District or the Western Harbour Crossing should divert via Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road and Connaught Road Central.

Motorists heading west who decided to heed the warning could either leave the bypass at Wan Chai – in effect bypassing neither Wan Chai nor Central – or choose not to use the new route at all.

The congestion, first reported around 3pm, lasted for at least three hours.

While the bypass is fully operational eastbound between Sheung Wan and North Point, drivers going west will only be able to travel as far as Central until work connecting the bypass to the Rumsey Street Flyover is completed in around a month's time.

A spokesman for the Transport Department said the bypass being new, many drivers were taking it just for the experience. The spokesman also put the congestion down to many taxi drivers picking up and dropping off passengers near the Central exit.

The department said the congestion had eased by around 6pm, after police had started directing traffic in the area. But it also warned that traffic jams could be expected in the evenings.