Diagonal Pedestrian Crossing Opens Near MTR Shek Mun Station
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A new diagonal pedestrian crossing at the junction of On Ming Street and On Yuk Street near MTR Shek Mun Station and Shek Mun Estate officially opened on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The Transport Department confirmed the crossing allows pedestrians to take a more direct route to the opposite corner, significantly reducing walking distance and time. The opening marks the first new diagonal crossing under the expanded implementation plan outlined in the Transport Strategy Blueprint published in February 2026.
Key Points
- The diagonal crossing at On Ming Street and On Yuk Street opened on September 22, 2026, near MTR Shek Mun Station and Shek Mun Estate
- The Transport Department installed sloped kerbs to assist elderly people, wheelchair users, and those pushing strollers
- Traffic bollards were added at the junction to alert drivers to exercise caution when passing through
- Two earlier pilot diagonal crossings launched in 2024 at Sha Jie Street/Yat Tai Street in Sha Tin and Carnarvon Road/Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui showed safe and smooth operations with positive results
- The February 2026 Transport Strategy Blueprint proposed expanding diagonal crossings to 15 additional suitable junctions, with implementation beginning in the second half of 2026
- The diagonal crossing is projected to reduce average walking distance and time by approximately 30 percent compared to traditional right-angle crossings
- The Transport Department briefed the Sha Tin District Council Transport Committee regarding the arrangement
Why It Matters
The opening of this diagonal crossing represents a tangible step toward improving walkability in Hong Kong's New Territories, particularly for residents in the Shek Mun area who frequently use MTR services and the adjacent Shek Mun Estate shopping centre. If the expanded rollout to 15 additional junctions proceeds smoothly, the initiative could fundamentally reshape how Hong Kong residents navigate urban intersections, potentially reducing pedestrian congestion at traffic lights while encouraging more people to choose walking over motorised transport for short trips .
The opening of this diagonal crossing represents a tangible step toward improving walkability in Hong Kong's New Territories, particularly for residents in the Shek Mun area who frequently use MTR services and the adjacent Shek Mun Estate shopping centre. If the expanded rollout to 15 additional junctions proceeds smoothly, the initiative could fundamentally reshape how Hong Kong residents navigate urban intersections, potentially reducing pedestrian congestion at traffic lights while encouraging more people to choose walking over motorised transport for short trips .