Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Cyclothon this Sunday
The Transport Department (TD) today (October 9) reminded members of the public that temporary road closures will be implemented in phases at various locations in New Territories South, Kowloon West and Tsim Sha Tsui from 1am on Sunday (October 13) to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Cyclothon.
The 50 kilometre and 32kmrides will start at Salisbury Road near the Empire Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui East, while the finishing point will be located at the Jordan Road flyover. The 50km ride will be routed via Kowloon Park Drive, Austin Road West, Nga Cheung Road elevated road, the West Kowloon Highway, the Cheung Tsing Tunnel, the Tsing Ma Bridge and the Ting Kau Bridge. The race will turn back and be routed via the Nam Wan Tunnel, the Stonecutters Bridge, the Eagle's Nest Tunnel and the Sha Tin Heights Tunnel, then turn back again and be routed via the West Kowloon Highway and Nga Cheung Road before heading for the finishing point. The race route of the 32km ride will be similar to the 50km ride, but will not be routed via the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Eagle's Nest Tunnel and the Sha Tin Heights Tunnel. Subject to the race arrangements and progress, the above road sections along the race routes in New Territories South and Kowloon West will be temporarily closed until around 11am on that day.
The other events and races of the Cyclothon will be held on the roads in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui East, including Salisbury Road, Mody Lane, Hung Hom Bypass and Hung Hom Road, which will also be temporarily closed until around 3.30pm on that day.
During the road closure period, 155 bus routes (including 64 KMB routes, 33 Citybus routes, 31 cross harbour bus routes, 26 Long Win Bus routes and one New Lantao Bus route) and 15 green minibus routes will be affected and subject to diversions, truncations, suspensions or relocations of stops in phases until the reopening of roads. The Star Ferry Pier Public Transport Interchange and the China Hong Kong City Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from 2.30am until around 10.30am; and the Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus will be suspended from 10.30am until around 3.30pm on Sunday. Roadside parking spaces within the closed roads will also be suspended.
The above road closure arrangements will not affect vehicles from Hong Kong Island/Kowloon/New Territories East heading for the airport and Lantau Island. Due to the closure of the Ting Kau Bridge (Kowloon bound), motorists travelling from New Territories West to the airport and Lantau Island via Tuen Mun Road or the Tai Lam Tunnel will be diverted via Tsuen Wan Road, the Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, the Tsing Tsuen Bridge, the Tam Kon Shan Interchange and Tsing Yi North Coastal Road heading for the Tsing Ma Bridge.
Both directions of the Western Harbour Crossing will remain in normal operation. Due to the closure of the West Kowloon Highway (Western Harbour Crossing bound), motorists traveling from New Territories West or Kowloon West to Hong Kong Island will be diverted via the slip road of Lin Cheung Road (northbound) near the Civil Aid Service Headquarters heading for the Western Harbour Crossing.
The TD appeals to the public to pay attention to the temporary road closures and public transport service adjustment arrangements on that day. Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that Kowloon bound traffic on the Lantau Link, Kowloon bound traffic on Tsuen Wan Road, Kowloon Station bound traffic on Jordan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui bound traffic on Ferry Street, Jordan bound traffic on Hoi Wang Road, Lin Cheung Road, and sections of Canton Road south of Jordan Road and in the vicinity of Harbour City will be more significantly congested when compared with normal Sundays. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas, and in case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience, drive with care and follow the instructions of the Police on-site.
Members of the public should plan their journeys early to avoid unexpected delays, and use public transport services (particularly railway services) as far as possible and pay attention to the arrangements of temporary route diversions and relocations of stops. Those heading for the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Kowloon Station for the Airport Express Line or boundary control points including Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the China Ferry Terminal (China Hong Kong City) are advised to plan their journey early to avoid any delay caused by road closures and traffic diversions. They may browse the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application "HKeMobility" for information about the special traffic and transport information, or may also browse relevant public transport operators' websites or mobile applications for details of service changes.
The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation. Other temporary road and traffic control measures, including adjusting the extent of road closures, and alteration or suspension of public transport services may be implemented by the Policeat short notice depending on the actual traffic conditions. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media.
