Underground walkway to link LRT East station with Border Gate

The construction of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) East Line is advancing steadily, with authorities beginning work on an underground walkway connecting the East Line station to the Border Gate (Portas do Cerco).

According to the Public Works Bureau (DSOP), the project will also include preparatory work for a future extension. Using a co-construction model, a shield tunnel will be prepared to extend the line toward the Qingmao border and the public sports park at the Canidrome site, laying the groundwork for the LRT East Line extension project.

The relocation of the East Line station closer to the border gate was made possible by the allocation of adjacent V-shaped land for the LRT development. By utilizing both above-ground and underground space in the area, the new underground walkway will provide residents and tourists with a comfortable and convenient route for commuting and crossing the border.

Officials noted that the link will also help alleviate pedestrian congestion at ground-level checkpoints.

The new passage will be situated at the existing tourist bus parking area at the border gate and will feature direct access to underground spaces and escalators connecting to the arrival and departure halls.

The broader East Line extension, as outlined in the LRT Development Strategy Study, is planned to run westward from the East Line station, passing the border gate checkpoint and Dr. Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park before turning south to the Qingmao port station. The line will then continue south along Av. do Gen. Castelo Branco to the public sports park station, running entirely underground.

With the Border Gate being one of Macau’s primary entry points, authorities are proceeding with caution. Preparatory utility relocation work is set to begin shortly, requiring partial fencing at Border Gate Square (Praça das Portas do Cerco).

The DSOP has been conducting community outreach to explain construction plans and traffic diversions, aiming to minimize disruption, and representatives from local community associations acknowledged the importance of the LRT extension and the convenience it promises, while also recognizing the challenges of working near a major border crossing.

The bureau has instructed the contractor to implement enhanced measures to mitigate the impacts on the surrounding area.

Data from the DSOP show that the contract for the design and construction of the northern section of the LRT East Line is scheduled for completion in March 2028. The project remains on schedule, with a minimal cost overrun of 2.8%.

To facilitate the first phase of the work, traffic measures were introduced in January. The second phase began yesterday and will run through late April.

Starting yesterday, some casino and hotel shuttle buses were relocated to a renovated pick-up and drop-off area at the Moorish Barracks (Quartel dos Mouros), which currently serves as the headquarters of the Marine and Water Bureau.

Following the Labor Day holiday on May 1, remaining shuttle buses will also be moved to the site, allowing the DSOP to proceed with utility relocation and subsequent construction.