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)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Airports serving Washington, D.C., Baltimore and some cities in Virginia briefly halted all flights Friday evening because of what federal authorities said was a strong chemical smell at the flight center that controls traffic into the airports.

According to a spokesperson with the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily stopped traffic at at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport and Richmond International Airport because of a the chemical odor at the Potomac TRACON.

The TRACON is a terminal radar approach control facility that manages air traffic for those regions, according to the FAA website.

FAA spokeswoman Kristen Alsop said Friday that controllers were coming back to work and normal flight operations should return to normal soon.

Baltimore-Washington International Airport said in a post on the social platform X that the FAA’s ground stop impacting flights to and from the airport had been lifted, but that “some residual flight delays can be expected this evening.”

New York City Emergency Management warned travelers that flights to Washington might be significantly delayed Friday night.

“Travelers to the DC area should expect possible ground holds, departure delays, and cancellations, and check directly with your airline before heading to the airport,” the agency said in a post on X.

It was the second time this month that airports in the region have had to halt flights because of a chemical smell at the Potomac facility. The previous ground stop, which lasted about an hour, was the result of a strong odor that was traced to a circuit, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an X posting.

Operations resumed in that incident after firefighters confirmed there was no danger to air traffic controllers.

A traveler walks along the concourse at Reagan National Airport, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)