Hong Kong’s first diagonal crossing starts trial run in Sha Tin

The city’s first diagonal crossing opened to the public on Wednesday, allowing pedestrians to save time crossing a junction between Sha Kok Street and Yat Tai Street in Sha Tin.

The city’s Transport Department said it aims to enhance pedestrian mobility and efficiency with more direct routes, potentially eliminating dangerous detours and reducing accidents.

The Transport Department also said a diagonal crossing at Carnarvon Road and Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is expected to be completed in mid-2024.

“It has been the government’s goal in recent years to build Hong Kong into an 'accessible city' to enhance the overall accessibility of Hong Kong, and to create a pedestrian-friendly environment,” wrote Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung in his blog.

Stanley Chan, an instructor at the nearby Immaculate Heart of Mary College, said that the crossing could benefit those with limited mobility.

“The lines give a sense of direction, and can guide people who cannot walk without assistance, such as the elderly and wheelchair-bound individuals,” said Chan. 

“In general, it also helps save time for everyone crossing,” he said.

Bobby Leung, a photographer, travelled to Sha Tin to take pictures of the crossing on Thursday said that it is reminiscent of Tokyo’s famous Shibuya Crossing, which is considered the world’s busiest crosswalk, with roughly 2,500 individuals crossing each time.

“It's like a mini version of it,” he said. “After all, this is just the start. Maybe we will see a much larger one in the future.” 

The Transport Department said that it will continue monitoring the usage of the two junctions while taking in feedback from pedestrians and motorists to assess the effectiveness of the diagonal crossing.