Macau Bridge remains closed during Typhoon Signal No. 8, except for designated vehicles

With Typhoon Signal No. 8  to be hoisted tonight at 9 p.m. for Tropical Storm Tapah, authorities announced that the Macau Bridge will remain closed to the public, except for designated vehicles undergoing on-site testing.

Motorcycles are excluded, and officials emphasized that the bridge, along with the other three Macau–Taipa bridges, will stay shut until tests and assessments are completed.

After consulting with the Public Works Bureau (DSOP), the Transport Bureau (DSAT) responded in August to former lawmaker Ron Lam regarding the operation of the Macau Bridge.

The authorities stated that during Typhoon Wipha, the last typhoon to hit Macau, wind measurement instruments were installed on the bridge’s roadway to monitor wind speeds inside and outside the windbreak.

The bureau has been collating and analyzing this data to assess the feasibility of opening the bridge deck to traffic under a No. 8 typhoon signal.

In their written reply, the authorities indicated that once the analysis is complete, the government will draw on the experiences of neighboring regions, taking into account local driving habits and the operational conditions of the Macau Bridge to formulate tailored traffic control measures or restrictions.

The findings will serve as a basis for evaluating traffic safety during No. 8 typhoon signals.

On Saturday, as Tropical Storm Tapah approached Macau, the Public Works Bureau, the Transport Bureau, and the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) held a press conference to announce their analysis of wind speed data collected during Typhoon Wipha.

The DSOP reported that during the typhoon in July, 17 anemometers were installed on the Macau Bridge, collecting approximately one million data points.

The analysis indicates that the installation and effectiveness of the bridge’s wind barriers meet design requirements, providing the necessary conditions for limited traffic operation under specific severe weather conditions. “We plan to conduct on-site driving tests with designated vehicles during the next issuance of a Typhoon Signal No. 8,” the authorities stated.

They further emphasized the necessity of on-site vehicle testing, stating, “Although wind speed monitoring data on the bridge deck indicates that wind conditions remain within acceptable limits, it is essential to conduct on-site vehicle testing during Typhoon Signal No. 8.

This will help us gain a deeper understanding of actual traffic conditions and ensure the safety of residents’ travel.”

According to the press conference, data obtained from the vehicle testing and actual measurements will be used to evaluate future arrangements for the Macau Bridge during Typhoon Signal No. 8, including permissible vehicle types, traffic rules, and restrictions.

The authorities’ preliminary traffic plan largely mirrors that of the lower deck of the Sai Van Bridge, allowing only cars and authorized vehicles. On the main bridge section, vehicles must use the center lane and are prohibited from overtaking. The speed limit on the main bridge is set at 60 kilometers per hour, with access via designated ramps for entering and exiting the Macau Bridge.

On the Macau side, the entrance and exit are located at Avenida da Ponte Macau in Zone A, while on the Taipa side, they are situated at Estrada da Ponte de Pac On. All other ramps and motorcycle-only lanes will be closed.

It was reaffirmed that while the bridge will remain open during Typhoon Signal No. 8 if test data confirms safety compliance, it will be closed during Typhoon Signals No. 9 and No. 10, in line with the other three Macau–Taipa bridges.