Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2009

     The Transport Department today (February 4) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements would be implemented this Sunday (February 8) to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Marathon 2009.

     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 located at Victoria Park.

     For 10-km races, both bounds carriageway of the Island Eastern Corridor between Victoria Park Road and Shau Kei Wan will be temporarily closed from 2am.  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, Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Western Harbour Crossing, Connaught Road West flyover, Rumsey Street flyover, Pedder Street underpass, Harcourt Road, Lung Wui 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: 

                                                            First departure
                                                               at terminal
Line                     Direction                           station
----                       ---------                              --------------
Island Line           From Chai Wan                  4.05am
                           to Sheung Wan

Island Line           From Sheung Wan             4.22am
                           to Chai Wan

Tsuen Wan Line        From Tsuen Wan           3.55am
                                to Central

Tsuen Wan Line        From Central                 4.35am
                                to Tsuen Wan

Kwun Tong Line        From Tiu Keng Leng       3.46am
                               to Yau Ma Tei

Tseung Kwan O Line    From Po Lam              4.00am
                                  to North Point

East Rail Line        From Sheung Shui            3.25am
                            to East Tsim Sha Tsui

Ma On Shan Line       From Wu Kai Sha         3.30am
                                to Tai Wai

West Rail Line        From Tuen Mun               3.25am
                             to Nam Cheong

Tung Chung Line       From Tung Chung          3.40am
                               to Hong Kong

     A total of 161 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 Districts. The bus terminus at Tin Hau Station, Expo Drive East, Star Ferry Pier, China Hong Kong Ferry 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 tube of the Western Harbour Crossing 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 when road closure arrangement is implemented on Hong Kong Island.  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 9).

    Taxi and public light bus drivers who will go to Wan Chai North for refilling are advised to take note of the road closure arrangement 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 1823 or browse the Transport Department website: www.td.gov.hk for details.

Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:38