The Central Kowloon Bypass Yau Ma Tei Section has Opened on December 21

The Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) has opened at 10 a.m. on December 21. Ms. Mable Chan, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, stated at the opening ceremony that the construction of the bypass has overcome multiple challenges in the urban area. After its opening, the east-west traffic and public transport in Kowloon will be significantly improved.

The opening ceremony of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section), Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Mable Chan, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Chan pointed out that, during the final stage of the bypass construction over the past few years, the related personnel from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Highways Department and the Transport Department have repeatedly explained the construction challenges and difficulties, as well as the transportation arrangements to the public. Relevant information has also been disclosed to the public through various channels.

The opening ceremony of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section), Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Chan said that the construction of the Central Kowloon Bypass has three major characteristics: "reaching up to the sky, going down to the ground, and reaching out to the sea". The construction process needs to pass through various busy urban areas and neighbourhoods in Kowloon, including Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, Kowloon Bay and Kai Tak, involving tunnel engineering and a number of complex construction techniques.

She mentioned that during the construction, multiple MTR routes need to be crossed, with the nearest construction distance being only about three meters. More than two thousand underground blasting operations have been carried out. Since the time for some of the construction procedures is extremely limited, the construction team has adopted the application of technology and close teamwork to ensure the safety of the construction and the smooth operation of the city.

The tunnel of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section)

In terms of transportation of the bypass, Ms. Chan said that eight franchised bus routes will cover the relevant sections after the opening of the bypass, including three newly established routes and five adjusted routes. The government will continue to optimize public transportation arrangements in a timely manner according to the travel needs of citizens.

The entrance and exit of the tunnel of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section)

She also pointed out that the driving time between Yau Ma Tei and Kai Tak will be shortened from about 30 minutes to about 5 minutes after the opening of the bypass, helping to improve overall traffic efficiency and promote the long-term development of surrounding neighbourhoods.

The intersection of Kai Tak of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section)

After the opening ceremony, Ms. Chan and the officials present, members of the Legislative Council, District Councillors and other guests boarded the open-top bus to experience the operation of the bypass. Ms. Chan said that since December 22 would be the first working day after the opening of the bypass, eight bus routes will be arranged to pass through the bypass, including three new routes and five existing routes, driving from Yau Ma Tei to Kai Tak.

The intersection of Yau Ma Tei of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section)

NEW YORK (AP) — Road deaths are declining in the U.S. and worldwide, but lower-income countries aren't experiencing much of the improvement, according to a study published Monday.

Global rates of road injuries and deaths each fell more than 30% between 1990 and 2023, according to the study published in Lancet Public Health, which noted the progress varied from country to country.

Pedestrian and vehicle occupant deaths rose over that time in six countries — including the United States. However, more recent data shows road deaths fell in the U.S. in 2024 and 2025.

The World Health Organization put out its own numbers Monday, finding that road traffic deaths declined by 21% between 2011 and 2025. However, traffic crashes still claimed more than 1.1 million lives last year, and they remain the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 5 to 29 years, the WHO said.

Road deaths involve fatal injuries that happen to pedestrians, cyclists and people riding in cars, trucks and other vehicles. Complete data is lacking in some countries, so the researchers behind the new report made estimates based on what data is available.

The researchers, from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, found that road injury rates are higher in high-income countries, but 90% of road deaths occur in low-income countries.

In many low-income countries, safety measures have not kept up with rapid growth in cities and use of motorized vehicles. For example, seat belt mandates are more common in high-income countries, as are car safety features such as air bags.

“Road injury outcomes are shaped not only by crashes, but by the systems designed to prevent them and protect people when they occur,” said Liane Ong, the new paper's senior author, in a statement.

However, there have been conflicting trends in the U.S., including the proliferation of taller and larger passenger vehicles, the authors wrote. U.S. officials also have said thousands of deaths each year can be attributed to “distracted driving," including drivers looking at their phones.

In the U.S., motor vehicle traffic fatalities rose in the last decade and peaked at more than 43,000 in 2021 before beginning to decline, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency estimated the count fell to about 36,600 last year.

Meanwhile, the Governors Highway Safety Association recently reported that U.S. drivers hit and killed 7% fewer people walking on U.S. roads in 2025 compared with the year before. It was the largest annual reduction since pedestrian deaths began falling three years ago, but it was still higher than what the numbers were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WHO identified road safety as an international public health priority more than two decades ago. The Lancet report's release coincides with the start of a two-day United Nations high-level meeting on improving global road safety, being held in New York City.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

FILE - The body of a delivery person is covered by a white cloth as people watch police work the scene of a fatal traffic accident, in Mexico City, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)

FILE - This long exposure photo shows traffic driving on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)