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Xinzhuang traffic snarls after expressway closure
By Staff Reporters |
May 30, 2009, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AFTER a major section of the A8, or the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway, was closed on May 17, traffic in Xinzhuang, a busy hub in the city's southwest, is encountering major congestion problems.
The closed part of the expressway is from Xinzhuang to Songjiang District's Xinqiao section, which is being widened for next year's World Expo. The expansion project is due to be finished by the end of this year.
It is the first time in the city that part of a major expressway has been completely shut down for construction for such a long time.
The project seriously affects traffic on Shuiqing Road, the Outer-Ring Road (A20 Highway) and Qixin Road. More than 70,000 cars going out of the city via the A8 each day have to jostle with each other on the ground, an extra hassle for the already crowded Xinzhuang traffic.
On May 18, the first working day after the closure, nearly all major roads in Xinzhuang were seriously congested, including the Humin Elevated Road, Zhongchun, Xinsong and Shuiqing roads.
"It is the most difficult time for Xinzhuang," said Hu Shimin, director of the Minhang Public Security Bureau. "We have to get ready."
A series of measures had been introduced to facilitate the drive and ease the traffic tension before the shutdown. Traffic lights at 38 busy road junctions were adjusted; traffic signs and warning signboards were set up on the roads; eight road renovations were completed to increase capacity; more police, traffic assistants and volunteers were sent to the junctions in the rush hours.
"The traffic is now in a controllable state," Hu said. "But we have to admit we are not that optimistic as the project will last seven months."
Commuters from Xinzhuang complained they now had to spend an extra 20 minutes on a bus to reach Xinzhuang Metro Station to take Metro Line 1 because of the increased road congestion.
Local police suggest several alternatives to get to Xinzhuang during the closure period.
Cars going from east to west on the Humin Elevated Road can choose the Humin Road (ground) while the Shuiqing Road exit is shut, or shift to the A4 and get off at Xinzhu Road and Chunshen Road ramps to get to Xinzhuang. Cars going on the A20 should get off at the Gudai Road exit to get to Xinzhuang.
Locals are contributing their ideas to help solve the traffic congestion. "Government departments and some public institutions could open half an hour later each morning on weekdays to avoid the rush hour," said Xinzhuang native Wang Wei. "As well, officials should take more public transport instead of using cars."
Chen Yili living in the Park Land, a newly developed real estate in Xinzhuang, said car pooling sounded like a nice idea. "Neighborhoods should offer residents more information about car pooling, which can greatly cut the traffic flow and help protect the environment," she said.
Minhang has started to provide free bike services in several areas since March and the service is set to cover more neighborhoods and transport centers this year.
The closed part of the expressway is from Xinzhuang to Songjiang District's Xinqiao section, which is being widened for next year's World Expo. The expansion project is due to be finished by the end of this year.
It is the first time in the city that part of a major expressway has been completely shut down for construction for such a long time.
The project seriously affects traffic on Shuiqing Road, the Outer-Ring Road (A20 Highway) and Qixin Road. More than 70,000 cars going out of the city via the A8 each day have to jostle with each other on the ground, an extra hassle for the already crowded Xinzhuang traffic.
On May 18, the first working day after the closure, nearly all major roads in Xinzhuang were seriously congested, including the Humin Elevated Road, Zhongchun, Xinsong and Shuiqing roads.
"It is the most difficult time for Xinzhuang," said Hu Shimin, director of the Minhang Public Security Bureau. "We have to get ready."
A series of measures had been introduced to facilitate the drive and ease the traffic tension before the shutdown. Traffic lights at 38 busy road junctions were adjusted; traffic signs and warning signboards were set up on the roads; eight road renovations were completed to increase capacity; more police, traffic assistants and volunteers were sent to the junctions in the rush hours.
"The traffic is now in a controllable state," Hu said. "But we have to admit we are not that optimistic as the project will last seven months."
Commuters from Xinzhuang complained they now had to spend an extra 20 minutes on a bus to reach Xinzhuang Metro Station to take Metro Line 1 because of the increased road congestion.
Local police suggest several alternatives to get to Xinzhuang during the closure period.
Cars going from east to west on the Humin Elevated Road can choose the Humin Road (ground) while the Shuiqing Road exit is shut, or shift to the A4 and get off at Xinzhu Road and Chunshen Road ramps to get to Xinzhuang. Cars going on the A20 should get off at the Gudai Road exit to get to Xinzhuang.
Locals are contributing their ideas to help solve the traffic congestion. "Government departments and some public institutions could open half an hour later each morning on weekdays to avoid the rush hour," said Xinzhuang native Wang Wei. "As well, officials should take more public transport instead of using cars."
Chen Yili living in the Park Land, a newly developed real estate in Xinzhuang, said car pooling sounded like a nice idea. "Neighborhoods should offer residents more information about car pooling, which can greatly cut the traffic flow and help protect the environment," she said.
Minhang has started to provide free bike services in several areas since March and the service is set to cover more neighborhoods and transport centers this year.
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