The Transport Department (TD) today (December 6) said that after continual repairs during the past week, a cumulative total of 680 sets of traffic lights have resumed normal operation.
About 730 sets of traffic lights in various districts have been damaged to varying degrees since June. The damage in October and November has been more serious than in earlier months, with a number of controllers and components damaged. In cases where such facilities were burnt, underground cables would have to be replaced, thus affecting the progress of repairs. Owing to the collaborative efforts of various departments during recent months, an additional 30 sets of traffic lights have resumed normal operation this week, including parts of those at major road junctions in Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po and Yuen Long Districts. As at 6pm today, the number of traffic lights yet to be repaired has been reduced to around 50 sets, including those at junctions along Nathan Road and Argyle Street in Mong Kok. Relevant departments are now working at full speed to repair the remaining damaged traffic lights and, where circumstances permit, will strive to complete most of the remaining repair works over the next two weeks.
Since traffic lights near Nathan Road in Mong Kok have repeatedly been damaged, with the most severe occurring last week, repair works took a longer time to complete. The TD has already placed temporary traffic lights at two major road junctions (Nathan Road/Waterloo Road and Nathan Road/Mong Kok Road) with traffic control measures to direct traffic and enhance road safety. Temporary traffic control measures have also been implemented at some road junctions where traffic lights were damaged and protection works for traffic light controllers have also been strengthened. In addition, notices have been mounted on damaged traffic light posts to alert pedestrians to pay attention when crossing the road.
The TD urges motorists and pedestrians to be patient and pay attention to road safety when passing through the affected junctions. For the safety of road users, the TD again appeals to members of the public to stop damaging traffic lights and other road facilities.
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