XN000022-1976-04-04 — Page 5

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SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1976.

The eastbound traffic movement from Des Voeux Road Central, through

the Pedder Station works area, into Chater Road will be maintained if possible

although this will depend on the contractor's method of construction.

However, if necessary, this traffic will be diverted into Connaught

Road Central via Rumsey Street, Queen Victoria Street and Douglas Street.

It is anticipated that Pedder Street between Queen's Road Central

and Des Voeux Road Central will be reduced to two lanes for a limited period

of time, as yet unknown, to facilitate construction.

It may be necessary to close this section of Pedder Street to

traffic at a few weekends for periods of 36 hours to allow the erection

and realignment of the tram tracks and temporary decking.

All pedestrian routes and crossing facilities or equivalents in

the affected areas are to be maintained throughout the MTR construction

period.

After the traffic diversions are implemented, the various sites

in Central will be handed over to the contractors who will continue

preliminary tests on the soil under the roads.

Construction work will not start in earnest until several weeks

after the preliminary tests are completed. This the same case along the

length of Nathan Road in Kowloon where preliminary tests are still continuing.

Commenting on the traffic diversions in Central and in Kowloon,

a Police spokesman said: "Public understanding, cooperation and assistance

is important, having regard to the extent road usage will be limited during

the period of construction of the MTR. Wherever possible, members of the

public should make use of public transport."

The spokesman urged people living in areas not served by public

transport to form car pools wherever possible and especially when they travel

regularly into MTR construction areas.

/He also