New Traffic Arrangements Announced for Central Kowloon Route Project Starting July 27

New bridges on Hoi Wang Road to be commissioned on July 27 while West Kowloon Highway slip road to Yau Ma Tei to be closed from August 3

The Government today (July 17) reminded the public that, to tie in with the commissioning of the newly constructed vehicular bridges as well as the connection works between the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) and the existing road network under the Central Kowloon Route project, the following traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented:

A. Commissioning of newly constructed vehicular bridges from Hoi Wang Road to Western Harbour Crossing/Lin Cheung Road northbound at 6am, July 27 (Annex 1)

The following two newly constructed vehicular bridges at Yau Ma Tei Interchange heading for Western Harbour Crossing or Kwai Chung/Sham Shui Po will be commissioned at 6am on July 27 (Sunday):

The vehicular bridge connecting Hoi Wang Road and West Kowloon Highway (southbound) to Western Harbour Crossing; and

The vehicular bridge connecting Hoi Wang Road and Lin Cheung Road (northbound) to Kwai Chung/Sham Shui Po.

Cross-harbour bus routes No. 914, 914P and 914X will be re-routed accordingly, while existing bus stops will not be affected. Franchised bus operators will display notices to inform passengers of the above arrangements.

B. Closure of slip road towards Yau Ma Tei at Exit 2 of West Kowloon Highway southbound from 1am, August 3 (Annex 2)

To tie in with the connection works between the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) and the existing road network, the above slip road will be closed from 1am on August 3 (Sunday) for conversion into the entrance of the bypass. Vehicles originally heading to Yau Ma Tei through Exit 2 of West Kowloon Highway (southbound) will now be diverted to Lin Cheung Road (southbound) or other routes to their destinations, while vehicles to Mong Kok or to Hong Kong via Cross Harbour Tunnel may use Tonkin Street West and Tung Chau Street Flyover and follow existing traffic directions to their destinations.

Vehicles travelling along Route 3 (Tsing Kwai Highway), Route 8 (Tsing Sha Highway) or Mei Ching Road to the following destinations may take the alternative routes listed below:

(1) To Yau Ma Tei

From Route 3: Heading to Lin Cheung Road (southbound) via Exit 3 (towards Cheung Sha Wan), and following existing traffic directions to Yau Ma Tei;

From Route 8: Heading to Lin Cheung Road (southbound) via Exit 2D (towards Cheung Sha Wan), and following existing traffic directions to Yau Ma Tei; and

From Kwai Chung Container Terminal: Taking Container Port Road South and Lai Po Road to Lin Cheung Road (southbound), and following existing traffic directions to Yau Ma Tei;

(2) To Mong Kok or to Hong Kong via Cross Harbour Tunnel

Following (1) above to Lin Cheung Road (southbound), taking Tonkin Street West and Tung Chau Street Flyover, and following existing traffic directions to Mong Kok or Hong Kong; and

(3) To Tai Kok Tsui, Olympic Station or Cherry Street

Following (1) above to Lin Cheung Road (southbound), going via Hoi Fai Road roundabout, and following existing traffic directions to Tai Kok Tsui, Olympic Station or Cherry Street.

In addition, after the closure of the above slip road, it is anticipated that the traffic at Lin Cheung Road (southbound) may become busier. Vehicles travelling from Sha Tin along Tsing Sha Highway to Western Harbour Crossing, apart from using Lin Cheung Road (southbound), may divert to Tsing Sha Highway (southbound) and West Kowloon Highway (southbound) to Western Harbour Crossing.

A Government spokesman said that, due to the diversions, it is anticipated that the travelling time at the road sections concerned may be slightly lengthened. Motorists are urged to exercise patience, while members of the public should plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient commuting time. Appropriate traffic signs and road markings will be in place at relevant locations. Motorists are advised to pay heed to traffic signs and drive carefully when passing through road sections concerned.

The spokesman added that the works of the Central Kowloon Route project have entered the final stage. Structural works for the tunnels, slip roads and tunnel buildings have been completed, while the associated electrical and mechanical works are also in full swing and are expected to be completed by end-2025.

The Government has briefed District Councils concerned and stakeholders on the above arrangements, including distributing pamphlets to District Council members, district personalities, neighbouring housing estates and schools, Fruit Market stall traders, relevant motoring associations and public transport operators on various suggested routes. The Highways Department (HyD) and the Transport Department (TD) have stepped up publicity since July to remind motorists about the arrangements via large banners, electronic parking meters in the districts, variable message signs on major roads and tunnel broadcasts in phases.

The public may refer to the HyD's Central Kowloon Route project webpage (ckr-hyd.hk/traffic_diversion/?lang=en) for details, keep abreast of the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility mobile application, and refer to the Facebook pages of the HyD (www.facebook.com/hydgovhk) and the TD's Agent T (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk).

Source: AI-found images

CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters with epidemiological linkage

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 9) investigating two epidemiologically linked suspected food poisoning clusters affecting 39 students from two primary schools. The students developed symptoms after consuming lunch provided by the Sailing Boat Luncheon Production Limited. The CHP reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

The first cluster involves 12 boys and 16 girls aged between 6 and 11. They attend a primary school in Sham Shui Po. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately three to 31 hours after eating school lunch containing fish, chicken cutlets, sauce, garnish and rice, which was provided by the abovementioned school lunch supplier on January 6.

While investigating the first cluster, the CHP of the DH traced the supply chain of the school lunch supplier and identified another cluster, involving eight boys and three girls, aged between 10 and 12, who attend a primary school in Diamond Hill. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately five to 15 hours after eating lunch containing chicken, cervelat sausage, sauce and fusilli at school yesterday (January 8). The food concerned was also provided by the same school lunch supplier.

None of the affected students required hospitalisation and they are all currently in stable condition.

Officers of the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch, have inspected the food factory of the school lunch supplier concerned and the kitchen of the first school. They inspected the food storage, the food preparation process and environmental hygiene. Investigation revealed that some food items, such as meat and sauce, were prepared at the food factory, while the other food items, such as rice and garnish, were prepared at the school kitchen. It is suspected that some food items were prepared too early in advance. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to suspend operations for thorough cleaning and disinfection, improve food preparation process and hygiene standards. The CFS has provided food safety and environmental hygiene education to the staff. Food and environmental samples were collected for testing.

The investigation of the CHP and CFS is ongoing.

To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:

Avoid eating raw seafood;

Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;

Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;

Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;

Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;

Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;

Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;

Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;

Drink boiled water;

Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;

Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and

Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

Source: AI-found images