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The Transport Department (TD) today (February 16) reminded the public that special traffic and public transport arrangements would be implemented this Sunday (February 20) to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Marathon 2011.
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 Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, West Kowloon 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:
First departure from
Line Direction terminal station
---- --------- ---------------
Island Line From Chai Wan to Sheung Wan 3.56am
Island Line From Sheung Wan to Chai Wan 4.14am
Tsuen Wan From Tsuen Wan to Central 3.55am
Line
Tsuen Wan From Central to Tsuen Wan 4.22am
Line
Kwun Tong From Tiu Keng Leng 3.46am
Line to Yau Ma Tei
Tseung From LOHAS Park to North Point 3.57am
Kwan O Line
Tseung From Po Lam to North Point 4am
Kwan O Line
East Rail From Sheung Shui to Hung Hom 3.25am
Line
Ma On Shan From Wu Kai Sha to Tai Wai 3.30am
Line
West Rail From Tuen Mun to Hung Hom 3.25am
Line
Tung Chung From Tung Chung to Hong Kong 3.40am
Line
In connection with road closures for the marathon, a total of 159 bus routes and 27 green minibus routes will be diverted or suspended. 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 commencement of Chater Road pedestrian precinct will be postponed to 3pm or when the major roads on Hong Kong Island are re-opened to vehicular traffic. Road closures in the pedestrian precinct on 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 (February 21).
Taxi and public light bus drivers who will go to Wan Chai North for gasoline 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 planning 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 TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) for details.
Ends/Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:15
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