New Bypass Seems To Pass Monday Peak Hour Test

Traffic in Central flowed smoothly during Monday morning's peak hours, despite fears raised by some experts that the opening of the partly-finished Central-Wan Chai Bypass would spark serious congestion in the area.

Ahead of the rush-hours, Chief Transport Officer Albert Ho appealed to drivers to allow more time for their journeys and to watch videos posted on its website to familiarise themselves with the route.

"As the link road connecting the bypass and the Rumsey Street Flyover westbound will still be under construction, it is anticipated that the traffic will be busier than usual in the vicinity of the Central portal of the bypass and the Airport Express Station during the morning and evening peak hours," Ho said.

But from all reports, it seemed that the congestion was rather mild at the bypass entrance on Rumsey Street during the rush hours, on what was the first working day since the bypass came into use.

But the Transport Department warned that the situation may get worse in the evening, advising drivers to stay alert for the latest information.

Some drivers who were unfamiliar with the new route were seen taking sharp turns to take the exit road to Wan Chai, instead of continuing on the bypass.

The exit at Sheung Wan will be functional only after a month, once the Rumsey Street Flyover is completed.

A new bus route between Sai Wan Ho and Central, the 720X operated by New World First Bus, has also started running.

The 88X and Citybus Routes 962C and 969C will also be using the bypass, but the location of their bus stops remain unchanged.