Call it tunnel vision. When Shanghai removed tolls on the bridges and tunnels across the murky Huangpu River, it mistakenly believed it had struck a bold blow for development in Pudong - a district that still resists efforts to make it the Manhattan of the Far East.
City planners figured that by removing a 15 yuan fee (about HK$14.04), they would have a slightly better chance of delivering on some of the grand promises made over a decade ago.
'After careful consideration, the city government has decided to remove the tolls on river crossings,' the official media proudly announced on May 1.
'The move will make passage across the river more efficient, reduce transport costs and allow the bridges and tunnels to be more fully utilised.' State newspapers said the plan would improve the investment climate in Shanghai and give a helpful push to the next stage of development in Pudong, the sprawling but less populated district on the Huangpu's east bank.
However, city planners had not realised just how many people in Shanghai would go along for a free ride.
Traffic backed up for kilometres from the main tunnel linking the two halves of the city. The honking horns and angry motorists gave planners pause for reflection.