3 lanes to open in fire-hit tunnel

Three out of four lanes in the Lion Rock Tunnel will reopen today, according to the Transport Department, but the slow lane damaged by Thursday's fire will remain closed until repairs are completed.

Highways Department chief engineer Yung Kin-yee said yesterday that all repairs should be finished by March 22, but did not say whether the fourth lane would be operational.

Starting today, during the morning rush hours of 6am to 11am, two lanes will be Kowloon-bound, and one Sha Tin-bound. From 11am to midnight, two of the three opened lanes will be Sha Tin-bound and one Kowloon-bound.

Kowloon-bound drivers are reminded to choose their lanes at the toll plaza, as the lane on the right will only lead to Kowloon Tong while that on the left will lead to other destinations including Wong Tai Sin. Drivers should follow road signs and instructions of tunnel staff, said chief transport officer Michael Ng Shi-hung.

Maximum driving speed in the 1.4-kilometre-long tunnel will be reduced from 70km/h to 50km/h at all times. These rules will be implemented until further announcements, expected at the end of next week.

The fire broke out in a drainage tube below the carriageway at about 3.30am on Thursday and raged for nine hours. Investigators are looking into whether a cigarette or other factors such as a short-circuit caused the fire.