Government Proposes Converting Central Kowloon Route Shaft into Yau Ma Tei Public Car Park
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
The Highways Department has proposed converting a temporary tunnel shaft originally built for the Central Kowloon Route's Yau Ma Tei section into a public car park with automated parking technology. The project, submitted to the Yau Tsim Mong District Council, seeks to address the loss of approximately 150 parking spaces following the demolition of the Yau Ma Tei multi-storey car park to make way for the highway project. The shaft, situated at the intersection of Shanghai Street and Gansu Street, would accommodate roughly 140 private car spaces and 10 motorcycle spaces through a combination of traditional surface-level parking and an underground automatic system . The government plans to commence construction only after the relocated jade market becomes operational .
Key Points
- The temporary shaft at the intersection of Shanghai Street and Gansu Street was originally constructed to facilitate tunnel blasting operations and material transport for the Central Kowloon Route
- The shaft extends approximately 18 metres in depth, with a ground-level area of about 2,300 square metres and a shaft footprint of approximately 1,600 square metres
- The proposed car park would provide about 140 private car spaces and 10 motorcycle spaces, combining ground-level traditional parking with an automated underground parking system
- The car park entrance and exit would be located on Pau Yi Street (炮台街), requiring the permanent closure of a section of New Jade Market Street between Gansu Street and Pau Yi Street
- The temporary jade market currently occupying partial space above the shaft must first be relocated to the permanent replacement facility before shaft demolition and car park construction can proceed
Why It Matters
The proposal demonstrates the government's commitment to pragmatic infrastructure repurposing, transforming a temporary construction asset into a lasting community facility. With the Central Kowloon Route expected to ease traffic congestion between East Kowloon and West Kowloon upon completion, adequate neighbourhood parking provision becomes essential for maintaining local accessibility .
The project also highlights the complex urban planning challenges in densely built areas like Yau Ma Tei, where multiple competing land uses—jade markets, residential parking, and major infrastructure projects—must be carefully sequenced and balanced to serve the community's diverse needs.
The proposal demonstrates the government's commitment to pragmatic infrastructure repurposing, transforming a temporary construction asset into a lasting community facility. With the Central Kowloon Route expected to ease traffic congestion between East Kowloon and West Kowloon upon completion, adequate neighbourhood parking provision becomes essential for maintaining local accessibility .
The project also highlights the complex urban planning challenges in densely built areas like Yau Ma Tei, where multiple competing land uses—jade markets, residential parking, and major infrastructure projects—must be carefully sequenced and balanced to serve the community's diverse needs.