50th Grand Prix: joy or annoyance?
By Phoenix Loi When the entire city of Macao is permeated with glaring decorations, celebrating activities and anxious expectations for the 50th anniversary of Macao Grand Prix, local residents set a background for this Golden Jubilee Carnival with loud complaints.
This year, there is nothing more special and important than the "grand event" of the 50th Grand Prix. While reading the list of celebration programmes, it is not difficult for people to notice the high reverence the Macao government holds for this gala occasion. Within the month of November, more than 20 different kinds of celebration programmes are being organized in our city! Doubtless to say, when a small city like Macao shoulders heavy responsibilities of hosting such a huge event, many Macao residents do not feel positive about it.
The "City Circuit" is a very special characteristic of Macao Grand Prix, but it affects the city life negatively. For a few years, Macao drivers have noticed that the city has been overloaded with vehicles. When the Circuit, which covers major streets, is being installed, it is closed off for traffic from 6a.m. to 6p.m. All the vehicles have to change their way to squeeze into small and narrow back streets. These cars can just move at a speed not more than 5km/hour. Sometimes, a car moves slower than going by foot!
"Recent weeks, roads are suddenly closed off for setting up track barracks and repair jobs for the Grand Prix. This is extremely annoying!" said Andrea Loi, a driver who lives in the Dynasty Plaza, the main area of the Grand Prix track. "Don't they (the government) know our time is precious as well? Can they imagine that a large number of vehicles could go through these packed streets?"
On October 12, there was an incident of traffic blockade by the government for the visit of Vice-President Zeng Qinghong. Those few hours were long enough to anger many Macao drivers. A driver trapped on the Macao-Taipa Bridge even called a radio show and gave a live complaint about the government. Now drivers have to face a 12-hour traffic blockage, this will make them hit the roof! Every year, traffic problems bother local residents in the Grand Prix period. This year, the jubilee celebration will last, for the first time, for two weeks, many people worry that there will be a real mess.
It is true that the Grand Prix brings tens of thousands of tourists to Macao, and gives a big boost to industries such as casinos, hotels, restaurants and souvenirs. However, many Macao people think that the traffic problem is really a dark spot in this joyful event which the government has so far overlooked. Local people are proud of the Grand Prix which has given fame to this tiny enclave, but they also don't want to see the event bring too much inconvenience to their daily lives.
Most residents agree that traffic police often play an important role in diverging traffic jams. It is hoped that they can be more helpful in directing drivers to avoid being trapped in roads.
The government should improve its traffic arrangements in the Grand Prix period and make it a real pride and joy of the city.
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