Macao’s LRT underground extension to cost 1.74 billion patacas

The local government is spending 1.74 billion patacas (US$215.91 million) on Macao’s LRT underground extension aiming to extend the transit system’s East Line westward. 

According to an expenses list published by the Finance Services Bureau yesterday, the new tunnel will run between the East Line’s ES1 Station and Citizen Sports Park Station, and is scheduled for completion by 2030. 

Meanwhile, the government awarded the tender for the design and construction of Macao’s LRT underground extension to a consortium of three companies – China Civil Engineering Construction Company (Macau), Nankwong Real Estate and China Railway 16th Bureau Group Co., Macao representative office. 

Payment for the project will be made over the course of five years, with the 2026 cost standing at approximately 24.35 million patacas (US$3.02 million). The following year, expenses will peak at around 662.7 million patacas (US$82.23 million). Costs in 2028, 2029 and 2030 have been set at roughly 514.7 million patacas (US$63.86 million), 486.7 million patacas (US$60.39 million) and 54.8 million patacas (US$6.8 million). 

Macao’s LRT underground extension one of several projects

Construction of the main LRT East Line is already underway, with the 7.7 km route set to link the as yet unnamed artificial islands of Zone E and Zone A with the Border Gate. The line is currently slated for completion in early 2028 and operation in the latter half of 2029. 

Development of the line is being split into a northern and southern segment. The first three stations – ES1, ES2 and ES3 – are situated in the 2.9 km long northern section, which features three shield tunnels.

Meanwhile, the 4.8 km southern section consists of three underground stations – ES4, ES5 and ES6 that are linked by various types of tunnels, as well as an overpass.

Once the LRT East Line is completed, the Macao government intends to further expand the network. Its plans were outlined in a blueprint on the long-term development of the railway system, which was published earlier this year. 

[See more: Macao’s transport secretary shares plans to link LRT with Hengqin]

According to the document, six routes are under development, including Macao’s LRT underground extension, which will run approximately 1.5 km, connecting the Border Gate to the Citizen Sports Park, with transfer to the future West Line’s Qingmao Station also available in between. 

A number of new major lines are also being considered in the longer term, including a West Line linking the Qingmao Port to key districts such as Fa Chi Kei, Patane, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro and Barro de São Lourenço and Barra. 

Similarly, a South Line connecting Barra to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge via areas such as Nam Van and NAPE has been proposed, with the authorities stating earlier this month that they were preparing to expedite progress on the project.