Special traffic and transport arrangements on Hong Kong Island on July 1

    The Transport Department (TD) today (June 29) reminds the public that special transport and traffic arrangements will be implemented for the flag raising ceremony and public procession on July 1 (Tuesday).

    The flag raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square and public procession from Victoria Park to Central Government Offices will be held on Hong Kong Island on July 1. To facilitate the events, the Police and the TD will implement special traffic and transport arrangements in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty and Central.

    Main points of the special traffic and transport arrangements are: 

* To facilitate the flag raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square, Expo Drive, Expo Drive Central and Expo Drive East will be temporarily closed from 6.45am to 11am. The bus terminus, taxi stand and coach metered parking spaces at Expo Drive East will be temporarily suspended from 12.01am to 11am;

* For the public procession, Causeway Road westbound, Yee Wo Street westbound, Hennessy Road westbound, Queensway westbound; Queen's Road Central between Queensway and Pedder Street; and Des Voeux Road Central westbound between Queensway and Pedder Street will be temporarily closed from 1.30pm in phases. In addition, roads at Paterson Street shopping area and in the vicinity of Central Government Offices will also be temporarily closed;

* 81 bus routes and 18 green minibus routes operating in the road closure areas will be temporarily diverted; and

* Bus stops, tram stops, green minibus and public light bus stands, taxi stands, parking spaces and public and private car parks located in road closure areas will be temporarily suspended.

    Due to extensive road closures in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Central, other major roads in the vicinity, such as Victoria Park Road, Gloucester Road, Connaught Road Central, Island Eastern Corridor, Cross Harbour Tunnel and Aberdeen Tunnel will become busier and more congested.

    Appropriate traffic aids will be erected to guide motorists and notices will be displayed by public transport operators at the stops / terminus and inside the vehicles to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion and take heed of instructions of the Police, as well as watch out for the latest traffic news via media.

    Motorists are advised to drive to the affected or congested areas, especially Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, only if necessary and to use non-road based public transport services where possible. They are advised to plan their routes early, use alternative routes and allow more travelling time to cater for unexpected delays. Bus and other public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to route diversions and suspension/relocation of stops.

    Depending on the prevailing circumstances, other ad-hoc traffic and transport measures, including further road closures, traffic diversions, alterations and suspension of public transport services may be introduced by the Police and the TD at short notice.

    For updated and latest traffic and transport information, members of the public can call the Government hotline 1823 or browse the TD website: www.td.gov.hk.

Ends/Sunday, June 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:00

Attachments: Special traffic and transport arrangements on Hong Kong Island on July 1