Hong Kong takes pride in its highly efficient transport system - with a long-held belief that it possesses a flawless transport network. Last Friday's traffic chaos, caused by the closure of the Lantau Link, came as a shock. It gave us a timely wake-up call.

Chaos erupted on Friday evening when a barge hit the Kap Shui Mun Bridge on the Lantau Link, triggering an alarm and leading to the emergency closure of the bridge. As a result of the closing of the bridge, land traffic between the airport and other parts of the city was paralyzed. This continued until the bridge reopened two hours later after securing safety clearance; thousands of passengers were stranded at the airport or on the road, with around 100 people missing their flights.

That a minor maritime accident forced the closure of the only road and rail connection to Hong Kong International Airport for more than two hours reveals the vulnerability of the city's transport network. It begs a question: Is the Lantau Link the only Achilles' heel of Hong Kong's transport network?

The SAR government has rightly ordered an immediate review of all the emergency plans for closure of the Lantau Link, understandably with the aim of further improving emergency response arrangements including establishment of contingency ferry routes. This is imperative if we are to avoid a similar mess in future in the absence of an alternative land transport link between the airport and the city proper. The tunnel, now under construction and linking the airport and Tuen Mun District, will take three years to complete. This means the vulnerability of this important part of Hong Kong's transport network will remain until then.

The review will also examine the way the government releases information to the public in case similar incidents occur in the future, according to Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung Bing-leung. This is to ensure prompt release of information. This is essential for the public to make informed decisions and refrain from panic when coping with major incidents. After all, accidents happen quite often no matter how hard we try to avoid them.

The Lantau Link closure incident is not necessarily a bad thing. It could be a blessing in disguise. It has warned us against complacency and can lead to more efficient emergency plans as well as more effective prevention against accidents.

(HK Edition 10/27/2015 page9)