Govt Plans To Seal Bridge To Protect Tolo Highway

The government says work will take place overnight to seal the No. 2 Bridge next to Chinese University, to ensure that the Tolo Highway remains clear.

The Tolo Highway, which links the New Territories with Kowloon, has been blocked in recent days after protesters set up barricades and threw debris onto it from the bridge. On Friday night they also torched a van on the bridge.

Authorities finished clearing the barricades and debris from the highway late on Saturday morning - and by around noon all lanes had been reopened to traffic.

"Relevant Government departments will commence works tonight to close the Bridge temporarily so as to keep the Highway clear and ensure the safety of the road users," it said in a statement issued early on Sunday.

The statement also praised the many members of the public who came out to clear away barricades set up by protesters around the city, saying their "heart touching actions" showed their love for the city, and "inject positive energy into the society".

It said their efforts led to the reopening of various roads, including Tolo Highway, Tai Po Road, Junction Road, Pok Fu Lam Road, Bonham Road, Tong Ming Street and Tong Chun Street in Tseung Kwan O, Tai Po Tai Wo Road, and Kai Leng Roundabout in Sheung Shui.

"In particular, the Tolo Highway, which is essential to people living in the northern and eastern parts of the New Territories, has been reopened since noon (on Saturday)," the statement said.

The statement condemned what it called the "dangerous acts" of "rioters".