Route 6 Full Opening Slated for December, Cutting Travel Time to 12 Minutes
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN

Summary
The final section of Route 6 will open in December, cutting travel times from Yau Ma Tei to Tseung Kwan O from about 65 minutes to roughly 12 minutes, Hong Kong's transport chief has said.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Wednesday at a Legislative Council meeting that the Kowloon Bay section of the Central Kowloon Route would open to traffic on December 6 .
"Together with the Yau Ma Tei section that opened at the end of last year, this marks the full commissioning of Route 6, which encompasses the Central Kowloon Route and the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel," she said .
"Once fully open, Route 6 will seamlessly connect traffic between Kowloon West, Kowloon East and Tseung Kwan O. Travel time for the entire route is expected to drop substantially from around 65 minutes to about 12 minutes," Chan added .
Chan said authorities had been conducting tests on fire safety equipment and other facilities in recent months, with the project now in its final preparation stage .
"Relevant departments have reported that everything is currently progressing smoothly, and they hope to perfect the route's systems, public transport arrangements and roadwork before the official opening," she added .
Key Points
- The Kowloon Bay section of the Central Kowloon Route opens to traffic on December 6, 2026, completing Route 6
- Route 6 comprises the Central Kowloon Route and the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel, with construction beginning in 2017
- The Central Kowloon Bypass spans 4.7 kilometres as a dual three-lane trunk road with a 3.9-kilometre tunnel
- Travel time from Yau Ma Tei to Tseung Kwan O drops from approximately 65 minutes to about 12 minutes
- Ringo Lee Yiu-pui, governor of the Hong Kong, China Automobile Association, says the route provides a more convenient alternative for motorists and helps ease congestion on the Kwun Tong Bypass
Why It Matters
Route 6 represents a transformative infrastructure project that will fundamentally reshape travel patterns across Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O, benefiting hundreds of thousands of commuters daily. The dramatic reduction in travel time from 65 minutes to 12 minutes will not only improve quality of life for residents but also enhance economic connectivity between these districts .
Route 6 represents a transformative infrastructure project that will fundamentally reshape travel patterns across Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O, benefiting hundreds of thousands of commuters daily. The dramatic reduction in travel time from 65 minutes to 12 minutes will not only improve quality of life for residents but also enhance economic connectivity between these districts .