Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2008

The Transport Department today (February 12) reminds the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented to allow the holding of the Hong Kong Marathon 2008 on Sunday (February 17).

    This year, the 10-kilometre races will be held at the Island Eastern Corridor and the finishing point of both the 10-km races and all marathon races will be extended from Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai North to Victoria Park.

    For 10-km races, the Island Eastern Corridor carriageways going in both directions between Victoria Park Road and Sai Wan Ho will be temporarily closed from 2am in phases. Traffic along the Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted to Java Road, King's Road and Shau Kei Wan Road. Traffic to/from Eastern Harbour Crossing will also be diverted to Sai Wan Ho exit/entrance.

    For half and full marathons, road closures and traffic diversions will be widely implemented from 12.01am in phases in the territory. The race will start at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and take the route via West Kowloon Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Western Harbour Crossing, Connaught Road West flyover, Rumsey Street flyover, Pedder Street underpass, Harcourt Road, Convention Avenue, Hung Hing Road, Marsh Road flyover, Lockhart Road, East Point Road and Great George Street and will finish at Victoria Park.

    To allow participants to go to Victoria Park and Tsim Sha Tsui to prepare for the race, the first departure of Mass Transit Railway services will be advanced on Sunday. The details are as follows:


Line

Direction 

First departure at terminal station


Island Line

From Chai Wan to Sheung Wan

4.05am

Island Line

From Sheung Wan to Chai Wan

4.22am

Tsuen Wan Line

From Tsuen Wan to Central

3.55am

Kwun Tong Line

From Tiu Keng Leng to Yau Ma Tei

3.46am

East Rail Line

From Sheung Shui to East Tsim Sha Tsui

3.25am

Ma On Shan Line

 

From Wu Kai Sha to Tai Wai

3.35am



    A total of 155 bus routes and 27 green minibus routes will be temporarily diverted. Affected bus routes include cross harbour routes, airport routes and routes travelling along Island Eastern Corridor and in Yau Tsim Mong, Central and Western as well as Causeway Bay. The bus terminus at Tin Hau, Expo Drive East, Star Ferry, China Hong Hong Terminal, Jordan Road, Canton Road and Kowloon Station will be temporarily suspended and relocated.

    Taxi stands, public light bus/green minibus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks within the closed roads will also be temporarily suspended.

    The Hong Kong bound side of the Western Harbour Crossing tunnel will be temporarily closed from 1am until the end of all marathon races and re-opening of roads. Motorists heading for Hong Kong Island are advised to use other tunnels.

    People going to the China Hong Kong Ferry Terminal or Hong Kong International Airport are advised to plan their journey early to avoid any delay caused by road closures and traffic diversions.

    The Chater Road pedestrian precinct will be open to traffic until about 3pm. Road closure for the pedestrian precinct at Lockhart Road, East Point Road and Great George Street will be extended from 12.01am on Sunday till midnight the same day. The roads will be re-opened to all vehicular traffic from 12.01am on Monday (February 18).

    Taxi and public light bus drivers who will go to Wan Chai North for refilling are advised to take note of the road closures in the area.

    Members of the public are advised to allow more time to get to their destination and watch out for the latest traffic news via media. People who plan to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport. In case of traffic congestion, motorists are urged to exercise patience and follow the instructions of the Police.

    Members of the public can also call the Government hotline 1823 or browse the Transport Department website: www.td.gov.hk for details.

Ends/Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:57