Vertical Shaft Near Yau Ma Tei Jade Market to Transform into Automated Parking Lot with 100 Spaces
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Civil Engineering and Development Department is transforming a completed construction shaft from the Central Kowloon Route project into a public automated parking facility in Yau Ma Tei. The six-level underground parking lot will offer approximately 100 spaces at the junction of Shanghai Street and Gansu Street, with completion expected in three to four years. Legislator Tang Wing-shun, who advocated for the conversion, noted that additional parking spaces under the West Kowloon Corridor bridge are also planned to address chronic shortages in the area.
Key Points
- The vertical shaft, situated at the intersection of Shanghai Street and Gansu Street beside the jade market, is 18 metres deep and currently sits idle following the Central Kowloon Route tunnel completion
- The proposed automated parking system will feature six underground levels providing approximately 100 hourly-rate parking spaces, with a dedicated tunnel ventilation shaft separating it from the Central Kowloon Route tunnel below
- Legislator Tang Wing-shun inspected the site on the 26th and confirmed the department will seek LegCo funding and proceed with tendering before detailed design commences
- Dozens of additional parking spaces under the West Kowloon Corridor bridge near the former Yau Ma Tei Police Station are expected to open in the third quarter of this year
- Tang explained that the demolition of the former Yau Ma Tei Parking Building combined with the return of tourists post-pandemic has created severe parking shortages in the district
Why It Matters
The conversion project represents a creative reuse of infrastructure assets following major tunnel construction, while introducing automated parking technology to one of Hong Kong's most densely populated urban districts. With over 100 new parking spaces still falling short of demand, the development underscores ongoing challenges in balancing parking provision against urban redevelopment pressures in established neighbourhoods .
The conversion project represents a creative reuse of infrastructure assets following major tunnel construction, while introducing automated parking technology to one of Hong Kong's most densely populated urban districts. With over 100 new parking spaces still falling short of demand, the development underscores ongoing challenges in balancing parking provision against urban redevelopment pressures in established neighbourhoods .