A milestone in Macao’s infrastructure was achieved last month, as the northern and southern halves of a new bridge finally became a whole. The structure is the fourth bridge connecting Macao Peninsula with Taipa since the first opened in the mid-1970s.
Construction is set to be finished towards the end of this year – after more than four years’ of work – and the bridge should be fully operational shortly afterwards, according to the Public Works Bureau (DSOP). The bureau noted that connecting the two sides marked an “important and phased milestone” for the project.
With its main 3.1-kilometre-long skeleton in place, the focus is now on adding wind barriers and electrical systems, along with taking measures to protect the structure against corrosion and water damage. The government has said that the bridge’s wind protection barriers will enable it to remain open to traffic even during Typhoon Signal No. 8.
The fourth bridge will reduce traffic pressures for people driving between Taipa and Macao. Most importantly, it will serve the future needs of residents living in the yet-to-be-built Zone A housing development (near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge’s customs border). The southern side of the bridge is located in Zone E, which also hasn’t been developed yet, near the Taipa Ferry Terminal and airport. Zone A is expected to house around 100,000 residents by 2040.
Macao’s government engaged the public in the naming process of the bridge, initiating a competition in December. The competition received an impressive response from residents, with nearly 6,000 individuals submitting their proposed names. After consideration, the selection committee produced a list of five names that were shortlisted for further evaluation. Macau Bridge, New Urban Bridge, Kiang Hoi (‘Mirror Sea’ in Cantonese) Bridge, Silver Jubilee Bridge (as it will open the same year Macao Special Administrative Region celebrates its 25th anniversary), and Hou Kong (‘Oyster River’ in Cantonese) Bridge. In late March, authorities decided to name the fourth bridge Macau Bridge.
The other three bridges are all located further west. The oldest, named Governador Nobre de Carvalho after a former Portuguese governor of Macao, opened in 1974 and is currently the only bridge used by pedestrians. The double-crested Amizade (or Friendship) Bridge opened two decades later, followed by the Sai Van Bridge in 2004. As of last year, the Sai Van Bridge has included the addition of Macao’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Barra extension line.
While the Amizade Bridge remains the longest at 4.7 kilometres, the new bridge will be by far the widest. It’s been designed to accommodate eight vehicular lanes – four in each direction – including two motor bikes-only lanes (one in each direction). Its deck will also have the capacity to support the likes of high-voltage electrical cables, gas and water pipes, and telecommunications cables.
