Hong Kong’s Central-Wan Chai Bypass to fully open on February 24 after month-long first-stage operations
- Drivers from North Point can then travel directly to Western district or the Western Harbour Tunnel without troublesome U-turn
- Authorities assure public that road signs have been updated and feedback was considered after test drives
The multibillion-dollar bypass built to ease traffic in the heart of Hong Kong will fully open at 7am this Sunday with the commissioning of its second and final phase, the government has announced.
The HK$36 billion (US$4.5 billion) Central-Wan Chai Bypass, completed after nearly 10 years of construction plagued by delays and cost overruns, was partially opened to traffic last month.
The entire 4.5km link comprises a flyover in Central and a 3.7km tunnel. It is expected to ease congestion between North Point and Central, particularly on Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road and Connaught Road Central.
After the full commissioning on Sunday, drivers from North Point can use the bypass to travel directly to Western district or the Western Harbour Tunnel through the Rumsey Street Flyover, without having to first make a U-turn to Connaught Road Central, which sometimes caused jams.
Leung Siu-kong, a chief engineer from the Transport Department, said it would only take 10 minutes to go from North Point to the harbour tunnel with the bypass fully operational.
Test drives were conducted earlier this month on the remaining section of the bypass, and authorities had listened to feedback provided, he said.
“Together with the Highways Department and police, the Transport Department has given a presentation to the transport panel of the Central and Western District Council,” Leung said on Monday.
