The Transport Department (TD) today (October 3) reminded members of the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases at various locations in New Territories South, Kowloon West and Tsim Sha Tsui from 1am next Sunday (October 14) to facilitate the holding of the 2018 Hong Kong Cyclothon. Vehicles from Lantau Island heading in the Tsing Yi direction will be diverted via the lower deck of the Lantau Link.

     The 30-kilometre ride will start at Salisbury Road in East Tsim Sha Tsui and take a route via Kowloon Park Drive, Canton Road, Austin Road West, the Nga Cheung Road Flyover, Jordan Road, Lin Cheung Road, the West Kowloon Highway, the Tsing Kwai Highway, the Cheung Tsing Tunnel, the Cheung Tsing Highway, the Nam Wan Tunnel, Stonecutters Bridge and the Tsing Sha Highway before returning to the finish point at Salisbury Road near 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui via the West Kowloon Highway. A similar route will be adopted for the 50km ride, but the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Ting Kau Bridge and the Eagle's Nest Tunnel will be added as part of its route. The major event venues, namely the roads in the vicinity of Urban Council Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui, such as Salisbury Road , Mody Road, Science Museum Road and Mody Lane, as well as the Hung Hom Bypass and Hung Hom Road, will also be temporarily closed on event day.

     During the event, the road closures will not affect vehicles from Hong Kong Island/Kowloon/New Territories East heading for the airport and Lantau Island. Both traffic directions of the Western Harbour Crossing will remain in normal operation. Due to the closure of the Ting Kau Bridge (Kowloon bound), motorists travelling from New Territories West to the airport and Lantau Island via Tuen Mun Road or the Tai Lam Tunnel will be diverted to use Tsuen Wan Road, Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, the Tsing Tsuen Bridge, Tam Kong Shan Interchange and Tsing Yi North Coastal Road heading for the Tsing Ma Bridge.

     In view of the road closures, more than 150 bus routes and green minibus routes will be diverted, truncated and suspended or have their stops relocated. The affected bus routes include those using the West Kowloon Highway, airport routes and routes travelling in Yau Tsim Mong District. The bus termini at the Star Ferry Pier and China Ferry Terminal will be suspended until 11am, while Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus will be suspended from 11am to 6pm.

     Travellers and motorists heading for the High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station should pay special attention. Due to road closures, vehicles from the Western Harbour Crossing (Kowloon exit) heading for West Kowloon Station via Jordan Road (eastbound) will not be allowed. Route diversion via Hoi Po Road, Yau Ma Tei Interchange and Lin Cheung Road (southbound) will be required. In addition, vehicles from Tsim Sha Tsui heading for West Kowloon Station via Austin Road West (westbound) will not be allowed. Route diversion via Canton Road (northbound) and Jordan Road (westbound) will be required.

     Furthermore, tourists heading for Ocean Terminal, China Ferry Terminal (China Hong Kong City) or Airport Express Line Kowloon Station are advised to plan their journey early to avoid possible delay.

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

     The TD appeals to members of the public to pay particular attention to the road closures and public transport arrangements at the Lantau Link, the Ting Kau Bridge, the Stonecutters Bridge, the Eagle's Nest Tunnel, Kowloon West, Tsim Sha Tsui, and East Tsim Sha Tsui on that day. Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that Kowloon-bound traffic on the Lantau Link, Tsim Sha Tsui bound on Ferry Street, Canton Road in the sections south of Jordan Road and in the vicinity of Harbour City as well as roads to High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station will be very congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to affected or congested areas unless absolutely necessary and should exercise restraint and patience in case of traffic congestion and follow police instructions.

     Members of the public going to the affected areas are advised to plan their journey ahead, allow more travelling time, use rail services as far as possible and stay alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.

Ends/Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:00

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