Special Traffic and Transport Arrangements for EAG Events on December 12

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     The Transport Department (TD) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements would be implemented in Sha Tin, Tai Po and Causeway Bay tomorrow (December 12) in relation to Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) events.

     The EAG cycling road races will be held on Chong San Road and Ma On Shan Bypass tomorrow. The section of Chong San Road between Fo Yin Road and Science Park Road will continue to be closed until 5pm tomorrow while the section of Ma On Shan Bypass between Ma On Shan Road and Sai Sha Road will be temporarily closed from 7am to 2.30pm.

     During the road closure period, motorists travelling between Tai Po and Ma Liu Shui will have to divert via Science Park East Avenue instead of Chong San Road. Motorists travelling between Sai Kung and Sha Tin will have to travel via Sai Sha Road and Ma On Shan Road in lieu of Ma On Shan Bypass. Appropriate traffic signs will be provided on site to guide motorists.

     The Police will escort the cyclists between Chong San Road and Ma On Shan Bypass when the cycling road race starts at around 9am and nears its completion around 1pm. Roads along the cycling race route, i.e. sections of Tolo Highway (Sha Tin bound), Tate's Cairn Highway, Ma On Shan Road, Chak Cheung Street and Science Park Road may be temporarily closed. Public transport services along the concerned road sections may be affected. Members of the public are advised to advance their departure time and allow more travelling time to cater for unexpected delays.

     In relation to the rowing events in Sha Tin Shing Mun River Channel, the section of cycle track and footpath along the western river bank of Shing Mun River Channel between Dragon Bridge and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stables as well as one of the footbridges connecting the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stables and A Kung Kok will continued to be closed and designated as part of the competition venue from 7am to 2pm tomorrow.

     On Hong Kong Island, special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented from about noon at the Hong Kong Stadium and its vicinity to facilitate the arrival of spectators to the football matches. Caroline Hill Road and Eastern Hospital Road will be re-routed into one-way anti-clockwise direction and will be closed to all vehicular traffic from about 6.35pm to facilitate crowd dispersal.  Meanwhile, 14 bus routes and three green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the vicinity will be diverted. Some of the bus stops and GMB stops along Leighton Road will also be suspended. A special bus route no. 117R will operate from Hong Kong Stadium to Mong Kok during the dispersal phase in the evening.

     Passengers on public transport services are advised to watch out for the route diversions and relocation of stops. Notices will be displayed by public transport operators to advise passengers of the temporary public transport arrangements.

     Motorists are advised to pay particular attention to the traffic control and road closure arrangements and avoid driving to the affected areas. They should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion and follow instructions of the Police.

     Depending on the prevailing circumstances, other ad-hoc traffic control measures and public transport arrangements, including further traffic diversions, alterations and suspension of public transport services, may be adopted at short notice. The TD appeals to the public for their understanding and support of all the arrangements as well as co-operation with the frontline police officers on site.

     Members of the public please watch out for announcements by the TD and the Police, and the latest traffic and transport news broadcast on radio and television.  They may also browse the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) or call the department's hotline 1834567 or 1823 Call Centre for details.

Ends/Friday, December 11, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:31

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