The Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section), a project eight years in the making, opened to traffic at 10 a.m. yesterday (Dec. 21). The new route is expected to reduce travel time from Yau Ma Tei to Kowloon Bay from about 30 minutes during peak hours to just five minutes. During the initial phase, the bypass will be toll-free, with an HK$8 charge to be implemented once the Kowloon Bay section fully opens next year. Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, emphasized the challenges of the project, including the pandemic and numerous construction hurdles, and hailed the timely opening as a testament to HK's resilience and spirit.
The opening coincided with a weekend, drawing many residents eager to test the new bypass. Private cars, taxis, buses, and even a "motorcycle convoy" joined the inaugural traffic flow. The reporter from Ta Kung Pao conducted a trial drive, traveling from the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices to Kai Tak Sports Park via the new bypass in approximately 10 minutes—saving nearly one-third of the time compared to the "old route" via Gascoigne Road. Starting at the Yau Ma Tei entrance, it took just five minutes to complete the tunnel journey, closely matching government estimates. Many residents praised the bypass for significantly improving travel efficiency.
Project encompasses multiple critical facilities
During the opening ceremony, Chan described the project as both "grand and intricate." The "grand" aspect refers to its massive scale, with the bypass traversing over 240 buildings across Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, and Kai Tak. The construction also intersected with seven railway lines, with the closest MTR tunnel lying just three meters away. The project required 2,400 blasting operations, with some windows as short as 15 minutes, demanding precision and coordination. Cutting-edge technologies, such as Building Information Modeling systems and a smart site management platform, were employed to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
The "intricate" aspect lies in the meticulous planning involved. The bypass encompasses numerous vital facilities, including the Yau Ma Tei Police Station and the Yau Ma Tei Jade Market. Chan praised the project as a symbol of the dedication and ingenuity of countless engineers, embodying the "HK spirit."
The Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) connects Yau Ma Tei to Kowloon Bay, spanning a total of 4.7 kilometers, of which 3.9 kilometers is a dual-tube, three-lane tunnel. It provides streamlined connections between the West Kowloon Highway, Tai Kok Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, and the Western Harbour Crossing, offering access to destinations such as the Kai Tak Sports Park, Kai Cheung Road in Kowloon Bay, the Kwun Tong commercial district, and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
At the opening, two special-edition buses led a convoy of private cars, taxis, and motorcycles into the bypass. Drivers occasionally cheered and waved at pedestrians on overpasses. Within ten minutes, vehicles from Yau Ma Tei began emerging from the eastern exit. Traffic remained generally smooth, with police vehicles stationed along the route to maintain order.
Electronic displays provide ample guidance, ensuring smooth operation
The reporter took a taxi for a test run along the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section), traveling between Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices and Kai Tak Sports Park. The one-way trip took only about 10 minutes. Comparing this to the old route recommended by map navigation—also departing from Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices via Gascoigne Road, with some sections requiring traffic light waits, then through Kai Tak Tunnel to Kai Tak Sports Park. The non-peak journey took about 15 minutes, while using the new bypass reduced travel time by nearly one-third.
The reporter observed yellow signs and electronic displays along the route, guiding drivers to the bypass entrances. Inside the tunnel, the speed limit is 80 km/h, and traffic flowed smoothly without congestion. From the Yau Ma Tei entrance, it took just five minutes to exit the tunnel, consistent with government projections.
TD urges drivers to allow extra time to adjust to the new route
Despite the generally smooth operations, some drivers unfamiliar with the new route encountered minor difficulties. For instance, a driver near the Kai Tak exit realized too late that they were in the wrong lane and had to cross double white lines to correct their course. The Transport Department (TD) noted that some drivers require time to adjust to the new traffic arrangements. To mitigate risks, temporary traffic measures have been implemented at exit junctions, and additional road markings will be added to help drivers select lanes earlier.
The TD's Emergency Transport Coordination Centre will closely monitor traffic conditions, including the bypass's integration with existing road networks and public transport services across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Drivers and commuters are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and allow time to adapt to the new route.
Eight bus routes to use new bypass starting Dec. 22
Starting today (Dec. 22), eight franchised bus routes will operate via the new bypass during peak hours on weekdays, excluding public holidays. Among these, three are new routes: KMB routes 33X and 252S, and Citybus route A28X, which connect Yau Tong to Tsuen Wan West Station, Kwun Tong Ferry Pier to Tuen Mun, and Tseung Kwan O Station to the Airport, respectively. Five existing bus routes will also be rerouted via the bypass, offering significant time savings.
The TD urged passengers to familiarize themselves with the updated bus routes, including stops and schedules. Bus companies have been directed to closely monitor operations and prepare backup vehicles and staff to meet passenger demand.
A "public convenience project"
Taxi driver Mr. Ting described the new bypass as a "public convenience project." On the opening day, he drove a passenger from the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices to Kai Tak Sports Park, completing the trip in just 10 minutes. He highlighted that the new bypass will divert traffic from Gascoigne Road during peak hours, alleviating congestion in areas like Yau Tsim Mong. Previously, a trip from Yau Ma Tei to Kai Tak during rush hour could take up to 30 minutes. Ting considers the future HK$8 toll reasonable, as many drivers and passengers would likely pay to save time and avoid traffic jams.
However, Ting pointed out that signage from Cheung Sha Wan to the bypass is insufficient, and navigation apps have yet to update the new route. This makes it easy for drivers to miss the correct entrance. He suggested adding more warning signs within 500 meters of the bypass entrances to help drivers navigate the new route.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao; Journalist: Xiao Hongyu; English Editor: Vesper, Zoey SUN)
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