Since Nov. 1 last year, only one temporary ship lock has been open for the passage of vessels at the dam site. The "cross-dam" transport was initiated as a replacement.

According to the transport plans designed by the local government and the Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation, ships passing the Three Gorges dam site can either dock at the port of Maoping on the upper reaches of the dam or at Yichang port downstream.

Passengers who move eastward can take a bus trip along the expressway to Yichang city, 30 km away, where they can continue their river trip or choose land transport. Passengers who go upstream can take a bus to Maoping to resume their journey by water.

In order to secure the successful operation of the "cross-dam" transport, the local traffic department has dispatched 150 passenger buses to run in both directions between Maoping and Yichang 24 hours a day.

During the next 67 days of the ban, the Three Gorges will face surges of tourists and passengers in the week-long Labor Day holiday, thus posing a great challenge to transport.

According to the Yichang municipal government, more berths, buses and temporary trains will be added during the holiday period.

The reservoir will start its water storage from Jun. 1 to 15 with the water level by the dam raising five meters every day.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2003)