Beijing traffic authorities Friday issued a gridlock warning for Saturday and Sunday, the first two working days after the three-day Mid-Autumn break.

The Beijing Road Traffic Bureau warned traffic flows in the two days might be a major contrast to the decline in vehicle numbers during the holiday.

The morning rush hour could start earlier than usual, at 7:30 AM, and last until 8:30 AM, and the evening rush hour could also be prolonged, a bureau spokesman said.

The city's traffic restriction system, which keeps about 20 percent of the city's cars off the road from Monday to Friday, would not be in effect, he said.

The government has declared Saturday a normal working day in lieu of one of the Mid-Autumn days, while Sunday is also a working day in advance of the seven-day National Day break, which starts on Oct. 1.

The number of motor vehicles on Beijing roads is forecast to hit 5 million by the end of the year.

By July, Beijing had 4.4 million automobiles on its roads, with an average driving speed of 24.2 km per hour during weekday rush hours, 3.6 percent slower than last year's average, according to the municipal commission of transport.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2010)