The Transportation Infrastructure Office (GIT) has denied media reports claiming that the construction of the Light Rail Train (LRT) connection between Macau and Taipa through the Sai Van Bridge would impact the bridge’s structural safety.
The department was specifically referring to a report by Chinese-language newspaper Macao Daily News, which today published a report claiming that the project raised security concerns due to its possible impact on Sai Van Bridge structure.
In the report engineers contacted by the newspaper expressed concerns over the proposed works and stated that they should not be conducted in the 15-year old bridge.
According to GIT, plans the Taipa Line connection to Barra is to begin at the Ocean Station of the Taipa Line and then g northwards through the lower deck of the Sai Van Bridge, ending at the Barra station in the Macau Peninsula.
The revamp works of the Sai Van Bridge are expected to start after the LRT Barra Station works are completed, with Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo Arrais do Rosário, previously indicating that the bridge line could be completed in 2023, with works to cost some MOP4.5 billion (US$557 million).
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – which has provided the LRT the trains and systems – is responsible for the bridge improvement works, which include improving and upgrading the interior facilities, and installing related train system facilities.
Upon the completion of improvement works, a light railway will be built in the outer lane in each bridge frame, while the two inner lanes are reserved for other vehicles.
The GIT said today that in accordance with the requirements of the contract, the train and LRT supplier needs to provide the plan for the Sai Van Bridge lower deck improvement work, depending on the train and system characteristics adopted, in order to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the light rail on the Sai Van Bridge.
In addition, the safety check of the respective project for the improvement work was said to have been completed by the independent examining body.
The department also stated that such safety concerns had already been addressed in by authorities in 2010.
At the time the GIT stated that the bridge constructor, China Railway Group Limited, had built the structure was built in accordance with international technical conventions and could fully meet the requirements for vehicles and light rail lanes.
The bridge was also said to have been built considering the possibility it could hold a light rail line in the future.
