Airport travel warning as National Games cycling test to hit the road

Henry Siu

North Lantau Highway will be closed at intervals on Sunday for the first-ever cycling race on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge that doubles as a test event for the 15th National Games.

Travel time toward the Hong Kong International Airport is estimated to increase by 30 minutes, with a traffic queue expected to extend four kilometers on the highway.

The projections were announced yesterday in a press conference.

All vehicles will be prohibited from using the eastbound lane heading to Macau and Zhuhai between 7.30am and 12.30pm, while the westbound lane will be closed between 9am and 12.30pm.

"Passengers who plan to leave Hong Kong in the morning must arrive at the Hong Kong port passenger inspection building or the vehicle clearance plaza before 6.30am to have sufficient time to go through departure and customs clearance procedures," said Yeung Tak-keung, head of the National Games Coordination Office. He added that a live broadcast will be made available online, while an outdoor spectator zone near Disneyland will be set up, which is expected to accommodate several hundred viewers.

The driving time to the airport through the North Lantau Highway is also expected to take longer by about 30 minutes.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus services will be suspended. The last bus to Zhuhai and Macau will depart at 7.30am, while the last bus to Hong Kong will leave at 8.30am. Bus services are expected to resume gradually from 12.30pm.

Principal transport officer (New Territories) of the Transport Department, Ken Wong Pak-kin, suggested people consider railway transportation to Disneyland and Tung Chung.

"We have already asked MTR Corp to pay extra attention to passenger demand during that morning. The MTR will increase services on the Tung Chung Line, Airport Express Line and Disneyland Line according to passenger demand," Wong said.

Experts from the mainland and Hong Kong cycling associations have conducted several site visits to ensure that the whole route is safe for high-level cycling competitions, Yeung said.

"A men's race will be arranged for the test event and is scheduled to start at 9am and conclude at 2.30pm. The event will feature 23 teams from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, with a total of 71 athletes competing," he said.

The race covers a total distance of 230 kilometers.

It comprises a 160.7km section in Zhuhai, a 55.8km section in Hong Kong and a 13.5km section in Macau, according to Yeung

henry.siu@singtaonewscorp.com