The stage 1 commissioning of the Central – Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link (CWB) will take place at 8am on January 20 (Sunday). The Transport Department (TD) today (January 16) announced the respective traffic and public transport arrangements.
(1) To tie in with the stage 1 commissioning of the CWB, the eastbound elevated road of Connaught Road West and Connaught Road Central, and Man Kat Street in Central will be closed in phases between 11.30pm on January 19 and about 6am on the following day. Affected vehicles will be diverted to the at-grade road of Connaught Road West and Connaught Road Central, whereas vehicles on Man Kat Street will be diverted to Man Kwong Street and Man Yiu Street.
(2) The traffic lanes on Rumsey Street Flyover eastbound leading to Pedder Street Underpass will be closed from 11.30 pm on January 19. Affected vehicles (including eight bus routes, namely NWFB routes 18P, 18X, CTB routes 962E, 967X, 969P, 969X, A12 and Cross Harbour route 101X, and Hong Kong Island green minibus routes 10P, 28 and 31X) will be diverted via Man Po Street.
(3) After the commissioning of the CWB, motorists can make use of the CWB for travelling between Central and Island Eastern Corridor in North Point, and also use the portals in Wan Chai (North) or the entrance at Tsing Fung Street for accessing to CWB.
(4) Starting from January 21, four bus routes using the CWB, including one new route (NWFB route 720X) and three routes to be diverted (NWFB route 88X, CTB routes 962C and 969C), will commence service.
The TD reminded members of the public that during the stage 1 commissioning of the CWB, the link road connecting the CWB and Rumsey Street Flyover westbound will still be under construction for about one month. It is anticipated that traffic will be busier than usual in the vicinity of the Central portal of the CWB and Connaught Road Central during the morning and evening hours in the initial stage of the CWB commissioning. Motorists are advised to plan their journey in advance and allow more travelling time to access the above areas.
The TD expects that the traffic condition along Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road and Connaught Road Central will be improved after the commissioning of the CWB. Hence, motorists can continue to use existing roads to travel to the Western District and Western Harbour Crossing.
During the initial stage of the CWB commissioning, motorists will need some time to become familiar with the new driving routes. The TD reminds motorists to drive with care and pay attention to traffic signs and directional signs. Motorists are also advised to follow Police instructions and watch out for the latest traffic news. Passengers taking buses and minibuses should take note of the above public transport service arrangements.
Members of the public can obtain information on the above traffic and transport arrangements through the "HKeMobility" mobile application or the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/cwb/index.html), or call 1823 for enquiries.
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