DSOP vows to launch LRT East Line by 2029

The East Line of Macau’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system will be operational as scheduled in the second half of 2029, the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) has pledged.

The remarks were issued in a statement on Friday, following a session of the Legislative Assembly’s Follow–up Committee for Public Finance Affairs held the previous day.

Reportedly, lawmaker Wong Kit Cheng, chair of the committee, stated during a post–meeting press briefing that the approved budget for the LRT East Line project has increased by MOP 730 million, with completion now expected in 2031.

“The original completion date for the LRT East Line project was 2027, but it was postponed to 2029 in the third quarter of last year and then again to 2031 in the fourth quarter. The government explained that the construction period for the train system will last until 2029, and according to the contract, part of the payment is due by 2031,” said Wong.

“Therefore, we need to ask the government for clarification and a specific timetable for the completion and opening of the Light Rail East Line train system,” he added.

In response, the DSOP emphasized in the statement that it has “always strictly supervised the quality and progress of the project, aiming for operational readiness by the second half of 2029.”

It also noted that “at this stage, the overall completion rate of the project has reached 41%, and both the progress and budget are in line with expectations.”

According to the statement, the Light Rail East Line – designed to be constructed underground with a total length of about 7.7 kilometers – will begin in the Border Gate area, extend into Zone A of Macau’s new landfills, continue to Zone E1 in Taipa’s Pac On area, and terminate at the Taipa Ferry Terminal station, where it will connect with the Taipa Line.

Civil engineering works are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2023 and are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2028. Following completion of these works, the installation and testing of the LRT system will begin, with the entire East Line project targeting operational readiness in the second half of 2029.

“Similar to the recently completed Barra Line, Hengqin Line, and Seac Pai Van Line, the relevant engineering arrangements and plans are feasible, as all three previous LRT lines were completed on schedule without delays,” the DSOP stressed.

The authorities attributed the discrepancy between the project budget and the actual amount to the north and south sections of the East Line being completed ahead of schedule in 2024.

“Therefore, a total of MOP92.81 billion has been allocated to cover the payments,” they added.

It further stated that since some work will continue after the opening, financial provisions will be required through 2031.

In line with the current progress of the East Line project’s traffic system, the authorities noted that construction on various underground stations, shield tunnels, and the elevated bridge connecting to the Taipa Line is proceeding smoothly and according to schedule.

Among these, “some key construction milestones have been achieved ahead of schedule. Following the successful launch of the shield tunneling machine for the northern section on May 7, the machine for the southern section is scheduled to commence operations on [Wednesday].”

The DSOP further stated that, in response to mainland Chinese authorities’ approval to use a V–shaped plot of land, the ES1 station will be relocated westward to enhance connectivity between the Border Gate checkpoint and the LRT system. “While this will increase the scope of work, it will not affect the overall completion schedule at this stage.”