Clouds, traffic woes predicted for the big day
Transport chiefs warned yesterday of serious traffic disruptions during the Olympic torch relay on Friday, when cloudy weather with scattered showers is forecast.
Public transport services, including 177 bus routes, 43 green minibus routes, trams, ferries and cross-border coaches will be affected at times, the Transport Department said. The adjustments would include service suspensions, diversions, less frequent services and the temporary relocation of bus stops.
Principal transport officer Albert Su Yau-on said traffic-control measures would depend on actual traffic and crowd conditions and would be lifted 'as soon as practicable' after the relay.
'As we have a cloudy weather outlook on Friday, if there are traffic accidents, serious traffic congestion would very likely happen,' he said.
He said heavier traffic and congestion was expected in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and Wan Chai, particularly in Gloucester Road, Connaught Road Central, Hennessy Road and the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.
'Past experience suggests that it will take an hour to alleviate congestion of 30 minutes. Motorists are advised to plan their driving routes carefully or use alternative routes,' Mr Su said.
Meanwhile, a minor adjustment to the torch relay route has been made to avoid interference to candidates sitting Hong Kong Certificate of Education examinations, the director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Thomas Chow Tat-ming, said.
The relay will now begin its Sha Tin session at Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, instead of the planned start at Yuen Wo Road, because candidates might gather there.
Three secondary schools are holding an English exam in the morning.
'With reference to the community trial run on April 18, we decided the route is feasible and possible to be completed on time, and will stick to it on Friday,' Mr Chow said.
The director of the Home Affairs Department, Pamela Tan Kam Mi-wah, said a community celebration for the Olympic flame would be held at Sha Tin Racecourse at 2pm on Friday.
Mrs Tan said she expected 15,000 people would join the celebration, and special train services would be arranged between Sha Tin station and Racecourse station.
Leisure and Cultural Services Department facilities such as the Cultural Centre, Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art will adjust their opening hours for today's flame receiving ceremony and for Friday's relay, which starts at 10am.
