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Central–Mid-Levels escalator
22°17′1.19″N 114°9′17.40″E / 22.2836639°N 114.1548333°E
The Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system in Hong Kong is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. The system covers over 800 m (2,600 ft) in distance and traverses an elevation of over 135 m (443 ft) from bottom to top. It opened in 1993 to provide an improved link between Central and the Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island.
The escalators at top stage of the escalator system between Robinson Road and Conduit Road have been replaced, and went operational on 11 July 2018. In early 2019, three refurbished escalators between Mosque Street and Robinson Road went operational. In June 2019, two replaced escalators between Caine Road and Elgin Street opened to the public. The escalator between Gage Street and Wellington Street is currently[when?] under refurbishment.
Apart from serving as a mode of transport, the system is also a tourist attraction and is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops.
The project began in the early 1980s when the government found that much of the east-west traffic in the area arose from north-south travel demand, as the steep topography did not allow for major roads to be built straight up the hill. There was talk of linking Central and Mid-Levels with escalators, a monorail, or a cable-car system.
In late 1982, private consultants Peter Y.S. Pun and Associates and MVA Asia were commissioned to investigate traffic improvement measures in Central. In their report entitled A Study of the Transport Requirements of the Mid-Levels and Central District, the consultant recommended, among other things, to build an "escalator assisted pedestrian route" linking Mid-Levels to the existing Central Elevated Walkway system and a new bus terminus that they proposed should be built on the site of the Central Market. This proposal was well-received by Mid-Levels residents.
The Highways Department commissioned Maunsell Consultants Asia to draw up a detailed design for the system. The Executive Council approved the project on 16 March 1990. Construction began at the end of February 1991, and was carried out by a joint venture between Hong Kong contractor Paul Y. – ITC Construction and the French company Sogen. It took two and a half years to build, and opened to the public at 6:00 am on 15 October 1993.
The opening of the escalator fuelled the proliferation of new restaurants and other commercial operations in the intermediate levels, and contributed to the development of the "SoHo" entertainment district. New businesses opened up in the first or second floors of existing buildings, and added signage to attract escalator riders.
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Central–Mid-Levels escalator AI simulator
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Central–Mid-Levels escalator
22°17′1.19″N 114°9′17.40″E / 22.2836639°N 114.1548333°E
The Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system in Hong Kong is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. The system covers over 800 m (2,600 ft) in distance and traverses an elevation of over 135 m (443 ft) from bottom to top. It opened in 1993 to provide an improved link between Central and the Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island.
The escalators at top stage of the escalator system between Robinson Road and Conduit Road have been replaced, and went operational on 11 July 2018. In early 2019, three refurbished escalators between Mosque Street and Robinson Road went operational. In June 2019, two replaced escalators between Caine Road and Elgin Street opened to the public. The escalator between Gage Street and Wellington Street is currently[when?] under refurbishment.
Apart from serving as a mode of transport, the system is also a tourist attraction and is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops.
The project began in the early 1980s when the government found that much of the east-west traffic in the area arose from north-south travel demand, as the steep topography did not allow for major roads to be built straight up the hill. There was talk of linking Central and Mid-Levels with escalators, a monorail, or a cable-car system.
In late 1982, private consultants Peter Y.S. Pun and Associates and MVA Asia were commissioned to investigate traffic improvement measures in Central. In their report entitled A Study of the Transport Requirements of the Mid-Levels and Central District, the consultant recommended, among other things, to build an "escalator assisted pedestrian route" linking Mid-Levels to the existing Central Elevated Walkway system and a new bus terminus that they proposed should be built on the site of the Central Market. This proposal was well-received by Mid-Levels residents.
The Highways Department commissioned Maunsell Consultants Asia to draw up a detailed design for the system. The Executive Council approved the project on 16 March 1990. Construction began at the end of February 1991, and was carried out by a joint venture between Hong Kong contractor Paul Y. – ITC Construction and the French company Sogen. It took two and a half years to build, and opened to the public at 6:00 am on 15 October 1993.
The opening of the escalator fuelled the proliferation of new restaurants and other commercial operations in the intermediate levels, and contributed to the development of the "SoHo" entertainment district. New businesses opened up in the first or second floors of existing buildings, and added signage to attract escalator riders.