Special traffic and public transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2010

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     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 24) reminded the public that special traffic and public transport arrangements would be implemented this Sunday (February 28) to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Marathon 2010.

     This year, the 10 kilometre races will continue to be held at the Island Eastern Corridor and the finishing point of the 10-km races and half and full marathon races will be located at Victoria Park.

     For the 10-km races, both east and west-bound carriageways of the Island Eastern Corridor between Victoria Park Road and Shau Kei Wan will be closed from 2am on Sunday.  Traffic along the Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted to King's Road and Shau Kei Wan Road. Traffic to/from the Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted to the Sai Wan Ho exit/entrance.

     For half and full marathons, road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases at various locations in the territory from 12.01am on Sunday. The race will start at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and take the route via the West Kowloon Highway, Tsing Sha Highway, Stonecutters Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, 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 facilitate participants to go to Victoria Park and Tsim Sha Tsui to prepare for the race, the first departure of Mass Transit Railway (MTR) services will be advanced on Sunday. The details are as follows:

 

Line                                   Direction                       First departure
                                                                               at terminal
                                                                               station

Island Line                         From Chai Wan             3.56am
                                          to Sheung Wan   
Island Line                         From Sheung Wan        4.14am
                                          to Chai Wan   
Tsuen Wan Line                From Tsuen Wan          3.55am
                                          to Central   
Tsuen Wan Line                From Central                 4.22am
                                          to Tsuen Wan   
Kwun Tong Line                From Tiu Keng Leng      3.46am
                                          to Yau Ma Tei  
Tseung Kwan O Line         From LOHAS Park         3.57am
                                          to North Point   
Tseung Kwan O Line         From Po Lam                 4am
                                          to North Point   
East Rail Line                    From Sheung Shui         3.25am
                                          to Hung Hom   
Ma On Shan Line              From Wu Kai Sha           3.30am
                                          to Tai Wai   
West Rail Line                   From Tuen Mun             3.25am
                                          to Hung Hom   
Tung Chung Line              From Tung Chung         3.40am
                                          to Hong Kong   

     In connection with road closures for the marathon, a total of 161 bus routes and 27 green minibus routes will be diverted. Affected bus routes include cross harbour routes using the Eastern Harbour Crossing and Western Harbour Crossing, airport routes and routes travelling along the Island Eastern Corridor and in Yau Tsim Mong, Central and Western as well as Causeway Bay Districts. The bus terminus at MTR Tin Hau Station, Expo Drive East, To Wah Road in Jordan, Canton Road and MTR Kowloon Station will be suspended and relocated.

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

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

     Tourists going to the China Hong Kong Ferry Terminal or MTR Kowloon Station 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 the road closures are implemented on Hong Kong Island. Road closures in the pedestrian precinct at Lockhart Road, East Point Road and Great George Street in Causeway Bay will be extended from 12.01am on Sunday till midnight on the same day. The roads will be re-opened to all vehicular traffic from 12.01am on Monday (March 1).

     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 to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television. 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 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:15

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