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 Kings 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:

LineDirectionFirst departure
at terminal
station

Island LineFrom Chai Wan3.56am
to Sheung Wan
Island LineFrom Sheung Wan4.14am
to Chai Wan
Tsuen Wan LineFrom Tsuen Wan3.55am
to Central
Tsuen Wan LineFrom Central4.22am
to Tsuen Wan
Kwun Tong LineFrom Tiu Keng Leng3.46am
to Yau Ma Tei
Tseung Kwan O LineFrom LOHAS Park3.57am
to North Point
Tseung Kwan O LineFrom Po Lam4am
to North Point
East Rail LineFrom Sheung Shui3.25am
to Hung Hom
Ma On Shan LineFrom Wu Kai Sha3.30am
to Tai Wai
West Rail LineFrom Tuen Mun3.25am
to Hung Hom
Tung Chung LineFrom Tung Chung3.40am
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.