4 August 1972 Govt. Information Services Press release
Hong Kong’s first temporary flyover up soon
For three days towards the end of August, engineers will work around the clock to put up Hong Kong’s first temporary steel flyover in a major thoroughfare in Kowloon.
The massive structure, to be erected along Prince Edward Road at its junction with Waterloo Road in 72 hours, will help ease traffic conditions during the construction of the Waterloo Road/Prince Edward/Boundary Street Interchange later this year.
The interchange consists of a main flyover along Waterloo Road spanning the two busy junctions at Prince Edward Road and Boundary Street.
A spokesman for the Public Works Department Said the temporary flyover will be in operation for about two years. Then it would be dismantled and re-used as required at other traffic “black-spots” as either a three-lane or a two-lane flyover.
The steel flyover manufactured in Japan, will be about 1,000 feet long, with a maximum height of about 40 feet where it spans Waterloo Road.
The foundations are now being constructed and work is expected to be completed by the middle of August.
The Spokesman described the erection as “a complex and carefully planned operation”.
During the long weekend at the end of August, Prince Edward Road between Earl Street and Knight Street will be closed to traffic. Waterloo Road at its junction with Prince Edward Road will also be closed for two nights between midnight and 7 o’clock in the morning.
A 24-hour working day will be employed and every effort will be made to keep the noise level down to a minimum. The spokesman said.
The temporary flyover will be replaced by a vehicular underpass along Prince Edward Road after work on the main flyover complex has been completed.
Construction of these permanent flyovers and another major road project, the Argyle Street/ Waterloo Road/ Princess Margaret Road grade separated interchange is scheduled to begin in October and take about 2 ½ years to complete.
Certain work will have to be done outside normal working hours in order to not impede the traffic flow. This will involve the place of precast concrete beams and possibly some concreting.
An application by the Director of Public Works for exceptions from the provisions of the law on night noise for both projects has been approved by the Governor in Council.
Compilers note :-
There were feeble jokes at the time as to whether Kowloon’s asthmatic taxis would be able climb the gradients on this flyover, and due to its height, whether a pilot’s license would be needed to drive over it.