The Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass opened on Sunday morning, cutting peak-hour travel time from Yau Ma Tei to Kowloon Bay from 30 minutes to just around five minutes.
Speaking at the opening ceremony this morning, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan described the construction as a remarkable achievement spanning “the sky, the land and the sea.”
She highlighted the complex construction processes involved, including tunnel blasting and bridge engineering, while also emphasizing the careful consideration given to urban planning, environmental assessments, and resident needs.
She emphasized that the city must continue to push forward with its transport infrastructure to stimulate recovery and economic development, particularly in the wake of the tragic inferno at Tai Po Wang Fuk Court.
She noted the importance of prioritizing infrastructure to bolster transport capacity, facilitating the smooth flow of the community’s lifeblood.
The new route spans 4.7 kilometers and includes a dual three-lane carriageway with a speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour.
It connects Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon to the Kai Tak Development Area and Kowloon Bay in East Kowloon.
From Monday, eight bus routes, including three new services and five adjusted existing routes, will operate via the bypass during peak hours.
Chan hailed the scale of the project, which traverses Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, and Kai Tak, crossing seven existing MTR lines.
At its closest point, the construction work is only three meters away from a rail line.
She added that the team has executed 2,400 underground blasts to navigate the dense urban landscape, with the shortest blasting time window being just 15 minutes.
To ensure the project’s precision, the team has utilized advanced technologies such as Building Information Modelling and Smart Site Management Hub.
Chan also explained the meticulous planning involved in the construction, which covers many important facilities such as the Yau Ma Tei Police Station and the Yau Ma Tei Temporary Jade Hawker Bazaar.
She described the project as a testament to the perseverance and dedication of countless engineers, whose unwavering commitment exemplifies the “Hong Kong spirit.”
