Areia Preta ‘sky corridor’ prompts sidewalk expansion and traffic adjustments

Following reports of severe traffic congestion in Areia Preta caused by ongoing construction of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) East Line and the Avenida do Nordeste pedestrian footbridge, the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) and the Transport Bureau (DSAT) have stepped in to ease some of the transportation difficulties faced by both vehicles and pedestrians.

Both bureaus announced that the pedestrian walkway adjacent to the elderly apartment complex in Areia Preta has been moderately widened to enhance the pedestrian environment during the skywalk’s construction.

To reduce delays, especially during peak hours, authorities have also been optimizing traffic light timings and are considering the introduction of yellow grid road markings, commonly known as yellow box junctions, at the intersection of Avenida do Nordeste and Avenida 1 de Maio to further enhance traffic flow in the area.

Yellow box junctions are designed to keep intersections clear by prohibiting vehicles from entering the marked area unless they can fully cross it without stopping.

This principle helps prevent vehicles from blocking the junction, which is a common cause of traffic congestion.

While work along the sidewalk near La Baie Du Noble on Rua Central da Areia Preta, as well as in Jardim da Areia Preta and the central green divider of Avenida do Nordeste, continues; temporary closures of on-street parking spaces on Rua 1 de Maio, partial sidewalk closures, and the installation of temporary pedestrian crossings to facilitate safe access remain in effect.

Lane reductions on Avenida do Nordeste have led to severe traffic congestion and increased illegal parking. Some drivers are occupying travel lanes for long periods, which further disrupts traffic flow.

Leong In Pong, vice president of the Association of Residents of the Northeast Zone of Macau, previously raised concerns about illegally parked vehicles occupying lanes designated for loading and unloading. He said this practice is significantly worsening traffic congestion in the area.

Leong also said the future public housing projects in Mong Ha and the elderly housing in Lot P will include more than 8,200 households.

He noted that the new pedestrian overpass will feature 13 access points and barrier-free facilities. “I think it should achieve the goal of separating pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” he said.

In the meantime, both DSOP and DSAT have pledged to closely monitor the project’s impact on the surrounding environment. They assured that they are actively gathering feedback from residents and continuously adjusting temporary traffic arrangements throughout the construction period.

They emphasized that their goal is to minimize disruptions and reduce inconvenience for the local community.

In addition to the walkway developments, the MSAR government is investing heavily in other large-scale residential and infrastructure projects.

According to DSOP’s 2024 annual work report, nearly MOP14 billion was invested in infrastructure last year. And in Zone A of the New Urban Area alone, over 14,000 public housing units are currently under construction.

The report, published on its website, reveals that among 50 ongoing construction projects, public housing constitutes the largest share at 38.39%, followed by the Macau Light Rapid Transit (LRT) project at 23.14%, infrastructure projects at 22.93%, public buildings at 15.14%, and small-scale works at 0.41%.

The total DSOP investment plan budget for 2024 stands at approximately MOP14.42 billion, with a 96.9% execution rate.

Within Zone A, social housing projects at plots A5, A6, A10, and A11 are expected to deliver between 560 and 1,736 units each by 2026-2027, totaling 4,088 residential units. These will come with more than 1,100 light-vehicle and over 1,400 motorcycle parking spaces.

Meanwhile, plans for ‘affordable’ housing across 10 other plots (A1, A2, A3, A4, A12, B5, B7, B8, B11, B12) aim to provide 10,669 residential units between 2025 and 2028.

These will come with more than 4,100 light-vehicle and over 4,200 motorcycle parking spaces.

The construction of various public facilities is also underway at sites in Zone A, including sports and recreational buildings as well as an education facility, with completion dates ranging from late 2026 to late 2027.