Closure
of Old Bridge Affects UM Students
By Carly Vong
"I
need to wake up a lot earlier than before after the closure of the
Old Bridge," said Linda Lam, a third year university student,
"the traffic congestion makes me frustrated."
To
improve the parking problem in the Central area, the first Macau-Taipa
Bridge (Nobre de Carvalho) was closed down on April 8. The bridge
will be closed for about half a year. The construction work will
last for about 14 months, aiming to re-organize the traffic circle
in front of Lisboa Hotel. At the same time, there are changes of
routes in the areas near the construction zone.
Bus
companies have made route adjustments during the construction period.
Bus numbers like 28A, 33, 26A, 11 and 22 have been rescheduled to
use the third bridge (Sai Van Bridge). Furthermore, in order to
direct traffic for drivers and pedestrians, Direcção
dos Serviços de Solos Obras Públicas e Transportes
(DDSOPT), the department that is responsible for public transportation,
is continually setting up traffic signs to ensure an easy-flow of
traffic.
The
close-off of the busiest bridge connecting Macau and Taipa affects
especially students of the University of Macau (UM). Angel Lee,
a second year student, said nearly half of the time was wasted on
the bus detour. "Before I just needed to spend around five
minutes on the bus from Macau to the University, but now it takes
me nearly 15 minutes," said Lee.
Joanna
Cheong, a third year student, claimed that the temporary bus signs
are not clear enough. "There is no sufficient information about
the changes in bus routes; it makes me puzzled since bus companies
should have announced the temporary routes in an earlier time."
"It
is very inconvenient since the Old Bridge is the shortest route
for me to go to school. However there is nothing I can do now,"
sighed Juliana Tam, a third year UM student who drives to the University
by car. "I must pass through that area everyday, but there
are no proper road signs for drivers now, I find it so confusing
in finding the correct way."
In
1974, the "Old Bridge", also known as the "Macau-Taipa
Bridge", was built. It was the first bridge that connected
the Macau Peninsula and the Taipa Island. The bridge was officially
named the "Nobre de Carvalho" after President John de
Carvalho of Portugal. The bridge is 2,569.8 meters long and 9 meters
wide, with a double-lane design. Despite of the building of two
more bridges, most bus-lines and drivers still used this bridge
because it is situated in a pivotal location.
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