Special traffic and transport arrangements on Hong Kong Island on Sunday
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The Transport Department (TD) today (September 25) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements would be implemented in different areas on Hong Kong Island at different times this Sunday (September 27) to facilitate the holding of various events in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Details are as follows:
I. Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) Charity Walk
From about 4am to about noon, IEC eastbound between Victoria Park Road eastbound and Taikoo Shing ramp and the associated access roads, and the roads in the vicinity of Victoria Park including Hing Fat Street, part of Electric Road, Lau Li Street and Tsing Fung Street will be closed in phases. Depending on the crowd condition and traffic situation, the road closures may extend to Causeway Bay shopping areas at Paterson Street and Lockhart Road.
During the closure of IEC eastbound, vehicles on Victoria Park Road eastbound and Hing Fat Street heading for IEC eastbound and Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) will be diverted via Gordon Road, Electric Road, Java Road and King's Road. Vehicles on IEC eastbound heading for EHC will be diverted via Hong On Street or Tai Hong Street.
II. Ancient & Modern Dragon and Lion Dance Performances in Central and Western District
From about 10am to about 5pm, Queen's Road West between Hill Road and Praya, Kennedy Town and Belcher's Street between Queen's Road West and Collinson Street will be closed in phases. During the road closures, vehicles on Hill Road south of Queen's Road West heading for Queen's Road West will be diverted via Hill Road northbound, Des Voeux Road West westbound and Praya, Kennedy Town westbound.
III. Wan Chai District Sea, Land and Sky Grand Parade at Wan Chai North
From about 11am to about 7pm, Expo Drive East north of Expo Drive, including the bus terminus, taxi stand and coach metered parking spaces at Expo Drive East will be closed and suspended. During the sea parade from about 3.28pm to about 3.40pm, the services of Star Ferry between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui and between Wan Chai and Hung Hom may be slightly affected and disrupted. Ferry passengers are advised to pay attention to the announcement and passenger notice at the piers.
At the same time, there will be move-out activities at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The TD anticipates that many vehicles will enter and leave the HKCEC in phases in the afternoon which may lead to busier traffic in Wan Chai North.
IV. Celebration Parade from Victoria Park to Southorn Playground
From about 3.45pm, the parade route of Causeway Road westbound, Yee Wo Street westbound and Hennessy Road westbound will be closed. Buses operating on these roads heading for Wan Chai, Central and Kowloon will be diverted via Gloucester Road; buses from the Southern District plying between Causeway Bay and Wan Chai via Aberdeen Tunnel will be diverted via Canal Road flyover and Gloucester Road; some of the bus routes on Hennessy Road eastbound heading for Victoria Park will be diverted via Marsh Road, Hung Hing Road and Victoria Park Road.
Affected by various road closures, two bus routes (New World First Bus (NWFB) Route 15 and City Bus Route 698R) will be suspended; and one bus route (NWFB Route 25) will resume service after 6.40pm. A total of 79 bus routes and 15 green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted. The concerned public transport operators will arrange publicity to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements. Moreover, the bus stops, GMB stops, public light bus (PLB) stands, taxi stands and taxi pick-up and drop-off points, car parks and on-street metered parking spaces along the parade route and the road closure areas will be suspended until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are reopened.
Due to extensive road closures and traffic diversion in different areas on Hong Kong Island at different times on that day, the TD anticipates that the traffic in King's Road, Java Road, Causeway Road, Victoria Park Road, Gloucester Road, Canal Road flyover, Aberdeen Tunnel and Cross Harbour Tunnel will be very busy and congested. Motorists are advised not to drive to the affected or congested areas in the northern part of Hong Kong Island, especially North Point, Quarry Bay, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, unless necessary. They are advised to plan their routes early, use alternative routes and allow more travelling time to cater for unexpected delays. People planning to go to the affected areas are advised to make use of public transport. In cases of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of the Police. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the route diversions and suspension/relocation of stops.
Depending on the prevailing circumstances, other ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures, including further closures of roads, traffic diversions, alterations and suspension of public transport services, may be implemented by the TD and the Police at short notice. Motorists and the public are advised to pay attention to the latest traffic news on radio and television, Members of the public can also call the TD hotline 1834567 and 1823 Call Centre or browse the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) for updated traffic and public transport information.
Ends/Friday, September 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:41
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