Central Kowloon Route Full Opening December 6 with $8 Toll
HK01 · 6 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The government announced on October 14 that the Central Kowloon Route will fully open on December 6, 2026, with a uniform toll of $8 imposed on all vehicles from the same date. The route, comprising the already operational Yau Ma Tei section tunnel and the newly completed Kowloon Bay section tunnel, will connect with the Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel to form Route 6, linking Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon East, and Kowloon West. The Transport and Logistics Bureau confirmed that the toll regulation amendments will be gazetted on October 16 and submitted to the Legislative Council on October 21 for negative vetting.
Key Points
- Central Kowloon Route fully opens December 6, 2026, comprising the Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay tunnel sections
- Flat $8 toll for all vehicle types effective December 6, with collection point at east exit of Yau Ma Tei tunnel
- Route 6 corridor formed by connecting Central Kowloon Route with Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel
- Peak-hour travel time between Tseung Kwan O and Yau Ma Tei reduced from 65 minutes to approximately 12 minutes
- Expected to divert approximately 20% of traffic from busy Kowloon main roads, with volume-to-capacity ratio around 0.85
- "Easy Toll" system already installed at the toll collection point; installation and testing to complete by November
- Toll revenue expected to recover about 80% of the route's basic operating costs due to 24-hour tunnel facilities
- Legislative amendments gazetted October 16, submitted to LegCo October 21 for negative vetting before December 6 implementation
Why It Matters
The full opening of the Central Kowloon Route marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's strategic highway network, promising substantial relief to chronic traffic congestion in Kowloon's densely populated districts. The dramatic reduction in cross-district travel time will not only enhance commuter convenience but also stimulate economic activity along the Route 6 corridor connecting previously underserved areas of Tseung Kwan O with central Kowloon .
The full opening of the Central Kowloon Route marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's strategic highway network, promising substantial relief to chronic traffic congestion in Kowloon's densely populated districts. The dramatic reduction in cross-district travel time will not only enhance commuter convenience but also stimulate economic activity along the Route 6 corridor connecting previously underserved areas of Tseung Kwan O with central Kowloon .