HONG KONG — Commuters and football fans traveling through the So Kon Po and Causeway Bay areas tonight must prepare for significant traffic disruptions as the Hong Kong Police Force implements extensive road closures and diversions to manage the crowd attending the International Football Friendly Match between Hong Kong, China, and Cambodia at the Hong Kong Stadium. Authorities strongly advise attendees and the public to utilize public transportation and plan itineraries with extreme caution due to the complex traffic measures.
The special traffic arrangements will be enforced in phases, beginning with widespread closures several hours before the match and escalating after the final whistle. The primary goal of these measures is to ensure public safety and smooth crowd dispersal around the stadium complex.
Phased Traffic Control Implementation
Initial road closures and traffic diversions are scheduled to commence around 5:30 p.m. Key routes near the stadium will be affected, including the closure of Stadium Path and sections of Caroline Hill Road. Additionally, the westbound carriageway of Hysan Avenue between Yun Ping Road and Hoi Ping Road will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic.
In a crucial maneuver to maintain traffic flow, several roads will be converted to one-way systems. Caroline Hill Road, specifically the stretch between its western junction with Leighton Road and Stadium Path, will become southbound only. Similarly, Hysan Avenue, between Leighton Road and Hoi Ping Road, will be converted to a one-way eastbound flow.
Designated drop-off and pick-up zones for private cars and taxis have been established to mitigate congestion. These zones are located on specific kerbsides of Caroline Hill Road, Cotton Path, and Eastern Hospital Road near the main stadium entrance.
Post-Match Closures and Parking Restrictions
A more stringent set of traffic controls will be activated following the conclusion of the match, approximately starting at 9:30 p.m., though the exact timing remains flexible based on real-time crowd movement. The post-event phase includes the complete closure of Caroline Hill Road, along with key arteries such as Eastern Hospital Road (between Caroline Hill Road and Cotton Path) and Hoi Ping Road.
Significant diversions will route traffic away from the immediate area. For instance, westbound traffic on Leighton Road will be prohibited from entering Caroline Hill Road toward Link Road, instead being redirected via Wong Nai Chung Road and Broadwood Road. Police have indicated that if congestion necessitates the closure of Leighton Road itself, more extensive diversions will be implemented across the wider Causeway Bay network.
In anticipation of the influx of vehicles, all on-street parking spaces along critical routes—including Stadium Path, Hoi Ping Road, and Eastern Hospital Road—will be suspended from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Furthermore, access to and exit from all public and private car parks within the road closure perimeter will be severely restricted, with potential total closure on short notice. Motorists are warned that any illegally parked vehicles will face immediate towing and penalties.
Compliance and Contingency
To ensure maximum safety and manage inexperienced drivers in heavy traffic, learner drivers are explicitly prohibited from using a list of specified roads, including westbound Leighton Road and Caroline Hill Road, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
The police emphasize that all special traffic arrangements are adjustable and contingent upon real-time monitoring of crowd and traffic conditions. Authorities strongly urge drivers to adhere strictly to officer instructions, exercise patience, and factor in considerable delays when planning travel through the area tonight. Information alerts will be provided via radio and digital channels as conditions evolve.