Be alert to festival traffic blackspots: govt

Residents are suggested to pay attention to traffic information so as to avoid increasing congestion before the Spring Festival, said Beijing Traffic Management Bureau Monday.

Qi Qi, a publicity officer with the bureau, said the latest traffic guidance for this week is posted on the bureau's official website.

Real time information is displayed on screens on roads and broadcast on the radio.

Residents are urged to avoid congestion hotspots like Chang'an Avenue in the evenings this week, as the number of temporary traffic controls will increase due to several theatrical performances celebrating the Lunar New Year.

"There will be temporary traffic controls at the beginning and ends of the shows. The start time often coincides with the post-work rush hour, which raises the traffic pressure in the evening," said the bureau on its website, "so Liangguang Dajie, Ping'an Dajie and the Second Ring Road will be a better option for commuters."

Traffic near shopping centers is predicted to peak this week. Areas including Muxiyuan, Xinfadi, Gongzhufen and Dajiaoting will be among the most crowded locations in the city, the bureau estimated, and also warned that roads leading to airports, train and coach stations will be heavily congested.

The bureau also reminded residents that from Saturday to January 29, both the capital's traffic control measures during working days and the regulations on cars registered outside of Beijing will be suspended.

There will be traffic control measures during the Spring Festival at popular locations, including Changdian, Daguanyuan and Yonghegong, the bureau said.