The Transport Department (TD) today (June 29) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island to facilitate the holding of the flag raising ceremony and a procession on Monday (July 1).
 
     The special traffic and transport arrangements will mainly include:
 
(I) Flag raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai
 
Road closures
----------------
 
1. The following roads will be temporarily closed from about midnight to 11am:
 
- Expo Drive;
- Expo Drive Central;
- Expo Drive East;
- Central - Wan Chai Bypass eastbound leading to Wan Chai North exit; and
- The section of Fleming Road between Expo Drive Central and Convention Avenue.

 
2. The following roads will be temporarily closed from about 5.30am to 11am:
 
- The section of Lung Wo Road between Lung Hop Street and Expo Drive East; and
 

• Central - Wan Chai Bypass westbound leading to the slip road of Lung Wo Road
   
  Public transport services
  ---------------------------
   
  1. The bus terminus at Expo Drive East will be suspended from about midnight to noon. During the period of suspension of the above bus terminus, cross-harbour route No. 961 will omit Expo Drive East and terminate at and depart from Wan Chai North Temporary Public Transport Interchange. The bus stop on Expo Drive East near Convention Avenue will also be suspended.
   
  2. The taxi stand at Expo Drive will be suspended from about midnight to 11am; and
   
  3. Parts of the taxi stand at Harbour Road westbound opposite Harbour Centre will be suspended from about 7.30am to 9am;
    
  (II) Public procession from Victoria Park to Central Government Offices
   
  Road closures
  ----------------
   
       At around 3pm, a public procession will be held at Victoria Park and depart from Victoria Park, travelling via Causeway Road westbound, Irving Street westbound, Pennington Street northbound, Yee Wo Street westbound, Hennessy Road westbound, Queensway westbound, across Queensway, Rodney Street, Harcourt Road westbound, Harcourt Road eastbound and Tim Mei Avenue northbound to terminate at the Central Government Offices.
   
       To facilitate the holding of the above public procession, the following road closure arrangements will be implemented on Hong Kong Island:
   
  1. From about 1.30pm, the roads in the vicinity of Victoria Park and the Causeway Bay shopping area (such as Sugar Street and Jardine's Bazaar) will be closed in phases;
   
  2. From about 2 pm, westbound carriageways of Causeway Road, Yee Wo Street and Hennessy Road will be closed; and
   
  3. From about 3.30pm, both directions of Queensway and Harcourt Road, Rodney Street, Drake Street, Tamar Street, the section of Des Voeux Road Central eastbound between Pedder Street and Queensway and the roads in the vicinity of the Central Government Offices will be closed.
   
  Public transport services
  ---------------------------
   
       A total of 92 bus routes and 14 green minibus routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted, one bus and one green minibus route will be temporarily suspended. In addition, the tram services between Tong Shui Road and Ice House Street will be suspended.
   
       Due to extensive road closure in the affected areas, the TD anticipates that the traffic along Hong Kong Island North (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the vicinity of the Island Eastern Corridor) as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel and the Cross-Harbour Tunnel will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to be patient in case of traffic congestion when driving in the vicinity, follow the Police's instructions and be alert to the latest traffic news through the media.
   
       Members of the public are advised to use public transport services, in particular railway services, and avoid driving to the affected or congested areas, especially in the vicinity of Tin Hau, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty and Central, unless necessary. Early planning of journeys and use of alternative travelling routes are advised to avoid unexpected delay. The public transport operators will display notices to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions and suspension and relocation of stops. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. 
   
       For enquiries on the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public can call 1823 or browse the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) for more details.

Ends/Saturday, June 29, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:00

NNNN