Hong Kong's long-awaited Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section), a major infrastructure project hailed as one of the world's most challenging engineering feats, officially opened on Sunday, December 21, 2025, with traffic flowing smoothly on its inaugural day.
The Transport Department reported that vehicles moved seamlessly along the new route, which connects West Kowloon's Yau Ma Tei Interchange to the Kai Tak Development Area and Kowloon Bay in East Kowloon. Most drivers adhered to traffic signs and road markings, though a minority hesitated in selecting lanes near the Kai Tak exit as they adapted to the new layout.
The department's emergency transport coordination centre monitored operations closely, noting minimal disruptions on existing east-west trunk roads. Authorities urged caution, particularly on Kai Fuk Road, where some motorists mistakenly entered bus-only lanes. New measures separate bypass traffic from the Kai Tak Tunnel to minimise lane-changing and enhance safety. Drivers exiting the Kai Tak Tunnel are now advised to stay left and use Sheung Yee Road for downstream access.
Temporary safeguards, including enhanced road markings at exit branches, have been introduced to prevent unsafe manoeuvres. Motorists are encouraged to review driving guides, follow on-site signage, slow down at merging points, and drive courteously.
At the opening ceremony held at the eastern portal, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan praised the project, which cost over HK$40 billion and took eight years to complete. Employing advanced techniques—"going to the sky, underground, and out to sea"—the team overcame immense difficulties, including tunnelling up to 150 metres deep beneath 240 buildings, 2,400 controlled blasts, and proximity as close as three metres to MTR lines.
Chan highlighted the project's nearly 100 awards, embodying Hong Kong's resilient and innovative spirit amid challenges like the pandemic. "This perseverance and craftsmanship reflect the true Hong Kong spirit," she said, reaffirming the government's commitment to prioritising infrastructure for economic recovery and growth.
The Kowloon Bay section is slated for mid-2026 completion, forming part of the broader Central Kowloon Route. Once fully operational, peak-hour travel from Yau Ma Tei to Kowloon Bay is projected to drop from 30 minutes to about five.
As Monday marks the first weekday commute, officials will intensify monitoring during rush hours to ensure continued smooth operations.