The Water Supplies Department (WSD) announced that the fast lane of eastbound Gloucester Road in Wan Chai, which was closed after a water pipe burst, was re-opened at 5.45 pm today (August 31).
The water pipe concerned, measuring 18 inches in diameter, is one of the delivery mains of the Wan Chai Salt Water Pumping Station. It was found to have burst at 7.20 am today, leading to temporary suspension of the flushing water supply to Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai. The water supply resumed as normal this morning.
The WSD has completed emergency repair works on the water pipe, and will strive to complete the remaining road-surfacing works.
To cater for the traffic flow at night, the WSD will repair and temporarily re-open the third lane. After midnight, the lane will be closed again for permanent road reinstatement. The department will strive to re-open all lanes ahead of the rush hours tomorrow (September 1) morning.
The water pipe concerned was laid in 1986 and has been incorporated in the territory-wide water mains replacement and rehabilitation programme. The plan is to replace the sections of water pipe on eastbound Gloucester Road and that turning into Fleming Road, before replacing the section across Gloucester Road. The WSD will review this incident and study with relevant government departments how to speed up the works. All relevant departments have been positively assisting WSD to implement the works.
The Transport Department (TD) announced that bus stops outside Revenue Tower and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts had been suspended. A total of 19 bus routes have been diverted. Commuters going to Wan Chai are advised to use non-road-based public transport services. The MTRC has also strengthened its service.
Motorists are advised to avoid driving to Wan Chai areas. They are also advised to use other cross harbour tunnels like Eastern Harbour Crossing or Western Harbour Crossing to go to Kowloon.
"Motorists are advised to drive with utmost care and patience and pay attention to TV or radio announcements on traffic conditions", a TD spokesman said.
"The TD Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to closely monitor the traffic and transport situation, and will liaise with the Police, relevant government departments and public transport operators to take appropriate action", he added.
Ends/Monday, August 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:08
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