Opinion | Central-Wan Chai Bypass isn’t just vital infrastructure – it offers overcrowded Hong Kong a way out
- Ian Brownlee says the Central-Wan Chai Bypass can relieve traffic at the centre of Hong Kong, creating new opportunities to make the city more livable and enjoyable
This is not just a major highway connection. It also creates enormous opportunities to transform traffic priorities and rethink how best to use our limited road surfaces in a packed part of the city.
Indeed, the tunnels should be seen as an opportunity for congestion charging, where different tolls can spread traffic better. Higher charges during the day could be softened by low charges at night, encouraging private car owners to avoid rush hours, and off-peak commercial deliveries, with public transport given priority at peak hours.
The second opportunity is to encourage better use of existing road space by redistributing traffic. The bypass must be used to remove through traffic from Connaught and Gloucester roads. This would create a chance to reduce traffic on local roads such as Hennessy Road and Des Voeux Road Central. The simple removal of long-haul bus routes from these inner roads out to the bypass and to the new roads on the Central and Wan Chai reclamation areas will result in more efficient and quicker bus journeys. Moving congestion out leaves space to create a much better city centre. The removal of vehicles leaves room for wider footpaths, more space for people, and for greening and tree planting.
