Beijing's Olympic lanes open to public traffic

Shanghai, August 21 (Gasgoo.com) Beijing's Olympic lanes will open to public traffic gradually, the city's road and traffic authorities said Wednesday. However, these lanes may be closed again next month for the Paralympics.

Three lanes were made accessible to non-Olympic cars yesterday, and one of the lanes links the South Airport Expressway. Next Monday, most Olympic lanes on the Second and Fourth Ring roads will open. And on Thursday, the lanes connecting Dongzhimen Bridge to Jianguomen Bridge and the main expressway to Beijing Capital International Airport, will open to public traffic.

August 20 marked the 31st day of the two-month odd-and-even license plate traffic regulation that allows Beijing's 3.3 million private car owners to drive only on alternate days. About half of the Olympics host city's 3.3 million vehicles have been ordered off its streets and roads since July 20.

"Thanks to the support and cooperation of all drivers, Beijing's overall traffic in the past month has been good, fulfilling its promise of providing safe, timely, convenient and reliable Olympic traffic," a traffic officer said.

Mr. Zhang, a Beijing resident, said he was pleased to hear that all the Olympic lanes will be opened soon. "There are too many Olympic lanes. Congestion on the Western Second Ring Road has been occurring more than usual," he said.

However, these lanes are likely to be closed again on September 6 for the Paralympics. A more detailed announcement of the new traffic rules will be made later.

Non-Olympic cars are not allowed to run on Olympic lanes