The Macau government has completed the collection of opinions on the brand-new LRT proposals announced in January this year. The opinions show that citizens generally recognize that the LRT system plays an important role in enhancing public transportation efficiency, and as such the commencement of the East Line extension will be accelerated.
The Macau government announced the brand-new LRT proposals in January, planning to add six new lines to fully cover the Macau Peninsula and establishing stations in areas densely populated with entertainment venues. It subsequently launched an opinion collection period lasting over a month.
The Public Works Bureau (DSOP) held a press conference on Friday to announce the analysis of the collected opinions. The government collected more than 800 opinions, which it said fully reflects the extensive participation and high level of attention from all sectors of society regarding the future rail transit development of Macau.
In the collection of opinions, the Seac Pai Van Line extension received the most attention with the design of this line previously sparking heated discussions on the internet, accounting for up to 30% of the opinions this time. Supporting opinions believe that the Seac Pai Van extension line can effectively solve the traffic isolation issue in Coloane; however, opposing opinions argue that the line planning is mainly based on elevated structures. Some respondents expressed concern that the elevated structures will destroy the visual landscape along the coast and that construction and operational noise will disturb the tranquility of residential areas.
The next most discussed is the South Line, located where the Wynn Macau, MGM Macau, L’Arc, and StarWorld integrated resorts are situated. Some opinions focus on the connection of this line to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and suggest establishing a station at Praça de Ferreira do Amaral next to Grand Lisboa.
The Public Works Bureau said, “Society generally recognizes that the LRT system plays an important role in enhancing public transportation efficiency, alleviating regional traffic pressure and promoting sustainable urban development.
“The government will actively promote the prompt commencement and commissioning of the East Line extension, while also striving to accelerate the progress of the South Line.”
Among the six LRT lines the government plans to add, three lines will be added to the Macau Peninsula: namely the East Line extension currently under construction, the West Line and the South Line. The other three new lines are the Seac Pai Van Line extension, the Taipa North Line and the Taipa Central Line.
According to the brief introduction of the research proposal, the combination of the West Line, the South Line and the East Line currently under construction will form an LRT network operating around the Macau Peninsula, significantly relieving it traffic carrying capacity.
