The Transportation Infrastructure Office (GIT) has received 11 bids for the construction of the Public Transport Interchange (PTI) at Barra.
Wong Hoi Weng, the head of GIT’s technical group, claimed that the construction of the interchange would start as soon as the end of this year or early next year. The move will signal the beginning of the LRT construction on Macau Peninsula.
The office will also try to start the bidding process for the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Barra station at the end of this year.
The PTI, which seeks to combine and connect several modes of transportation including the bus, taxi and LRT systems, will be located next to the Customs Service headquarter and the LRT Barra station.
The PTI will be built underground. On the surface will be a green open space of approximately 10,000 square meters.
After the construction is finished, there will be a three- story basement for buses and shuttle buses to park, as well as to pick up and drop off passengers.
It will also provide around 500 parking spots for cars and motorcycles.
Wong Hoi Weng said that sensors would be installed to monitor the air quality underground.
“The hot air and [gas] in the stopping area will not be going back to the [passenger waiting area] (…) [It is] to ensure that the air-conditioned waiting area (…) will stay at a decent condition”, he said.
Another large-scale underground interchange in Macau, the Border Gate interchange, has constantly been criticized for the lack of ventilation, which resulted in unsatisfactory air quality and high temperatures.
Moreover, Wong Hoi Weng said that the construction of the slurry wall, used to reinforce the earth under the interchange, has already finished.
As a result, the construction of the PTI can take place alongside the building of the Barra station in the future.
Mr Wong said that during the building of the interchange and the LRT Barra station, it would require the closing of one lane of the Avenida Panoramica do Lago Sai Van towards the Sai Van Bridge.
He also said that different public departments will collaborate on a plan to reorganize the traffic at that area, in order to mitigate the impact of the construction on the traffic nearby.
Furthermore, Wong Hoi Weng revealed that the GIT is currently adjusting the design of the LRT Barra station. He said that the authorities would attempt to start the bidding process by the end of the year.
The entire length of the LRT’s Nam Van and Sai Van sections is approximately 2.6 km. There are three stations, which are the Nam Van Lake, Sai Van Lake and Barra respectively, accessible via the main roads of Macau’s downtown area, Nam Van and Sai Van. The PTI of Barra and Taipa will be connected to facilitate residents’ commute.
The Barra station will become an important transport node in Macau since the LRT phases one and two, as well as the planned Macau Peninsula circuit, will all go via Barra station. That way, passengers can easily take the LRT or transfer to public transport such as buses or taxis. JPL
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