Special Traffic and Transport Arrangements for Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2006

    The Transport Department today (February 10) issued a reminder that in connection with the holding of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on Sunday (February 12):

1. As the event will start at Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui and end at Wan Chai Bauhinia Square via various trunk roads such as West Kowloon Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Western Harbour Crossing, Connaught Road West flyover, Rumsey Street flyover, Pedder Street underpass and Harcourt Road, road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the territory.

2. The first departures of the following rail services will be advanced on February 12:
 MTR
Line             Direction       First departure
                                 at terminal station
Tsuen Wan Line   From Tsuen Wan    4.30am
                 to Central        
Tsuen Wan Line   From Central      4.55am
                 to Tsuen Wan      
Island Line      From Chai Wan     4.30am
                 to Sheung Wan      
Island Line      From Sheung Wan   4.50am
                 to Chai Wan      

 KCRC
Line             Direction       First departure
                                 at terminal station
East Rail        From Lo Wu        4.21am
                 to East Tsim
                 Sha Tsui  
Ma On Shan Rail  From Wu Kai       4.30am
                 Sha to Tai Wai        

3. A total of 118 bus routes and 14 green minibus routes will be temporarily diverted. Affected bus routes include cross harbour routes, airport routes and routes traveling on Yau Tsim Mong district and Central and Western district. In addition, bus termini for 33 bus routes will be temporarily relocated.

4. Taxi stands, roadside parking spaces and public car parks within the closed roads will be temporarily suspended.

     Since the Hong Kong Island-bound tube of the Western Harbour Crossing will be closed from 12.01am on February 12, until roads are reopened, motorists heading for Hong Kong Island are advised to use other tunnels.

     People are advised to allow themselves more travelling time than usual and listen to the radio for the latest traffic news. People who plan to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport. In cases of traffic obstruction, motorists are urged to exercise patience, and take heed of instructions of the Police in the affected areas.

     Details of the temporary traffic and transport arrangements are available at the Department's Homepage (http://www.td.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/UTIL_UTRAFFIC_WF/tdn-marathon_e_2006-final.pdf). For further queries, please contact the government hotline at 2804 2600.

Ends/Friday, February 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:08