New East LRT line station works lead to traffic setup adjustements at Gongbei Border

Construction works for the future East Light Rapid Transit line station near Gongbei Border have led to a the first in a series of traffic setup adjustements planned for the the area this year

Following interdepartmental coordination and an integrated assessment of traffic flows around the Gongbei Border checkpoint, officials announced that starting March 23 shuttle bus stops for gaming operators as well as hotels, will be gradually adjusted.

Under the plan, shuttle buses from selected leisure companies and hotels will first be redirected to the newly completed zone.

After the May 1 Labour Day holiday, buses from the remaining leisure operators will also be moved there. The relocation will allow the Public Works Department to begin pipeline diversion and related works, paving the way for construction of the East Line of the LRT.

At the end of 2022, authorities launched tenders for the design and construction of the Eastern Line, which will connect to the northern part of the Macau peninsula, home to the city’s main border crossing with mainland China.

The East Line of the Light Rail will have a route of approximately 7.7km in length, six stations and will connect the Gongbei Border, Zone A of the New Urban Landfills, Zone E of the New Urban Landfills, as well as to the existing Taipa Maritime Terminal Station of the Taipa Line.

A public consultation on the development of the light rail is under way until February 28, with completion of the Eastern Line envisaged by 2029.

Authorities said the first phase of traffic measures was implemented in January, while the second phase will run from March 23 through mid-April. During this period, Gongbei Square will be partially and temporarily closed to facilitate preliminary pipeline diversion works.

Officials added that details of the next stage of temporary traffic arrangements will be announced in due course.

Plans also include a Southern Line linking the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge border post to Barra station, a Western Line connecting the Qingmao border crossing to Barra, and a further extension to Coloane village.

The LRT recorded an average of 30,000 passengers per day in January, the highest figure ever for the first month of the year since its inauguration.