Construction of HKZM Bridge Macao Crossing Area Completed

Construction of the Macao boundary crossing structure for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao (HKZM) Bridge is nearing the end, with its facilities ready to be put into trial operation following a highly symbolic lighting ceremony held on 18^th December, 2017. The Macao SAR Government will closely liaise with Hong Kong and Guangdong authorities regarding the exact date of the launch of the cross-delta bridge, which is to be approved by the Central Government.

Six-storey Customs building

The Macao boundary crossing area, one of the major parts of the HKZM Bridge, occupies 71.61 hectares and has a total gross floor area of 600000 square metres, including a six-storey building for Customs clearance. It also houses two public car parks - located at the east and west end of the artificial island - providing 6800 spaces for private vehicles and another 2000 for motorcycles. Facilities in the Macao boundary area also comprises 53 buildings occupying over 40000 square metres for municipal use; while around 200000 square metres are dedicated to the road network, tunnels, flyovers and railway platforms.

In preparation for the daily operation of the Macao boundary crossing area, relevant departments of the MSAR Government have already started initial work for the crossing area. In accordance with their areas of competence, related departments will oversee the administration and maintenance of buildings, roads and facilities in the crossing area, while equipment installation and testing will be accelerated to complement the launch of the cross-delta bridge.

Cross-boundary services ready

As operation of the HKZM Bridge draws near, related cross-boundary transport service proposals are entering the implementation stage. Regarding cross-boundary transport services, it is anticipated that shuttle buses will run between the Macao and Hong Kong boundary crossing areas, and between the Hong Kong and Zhuhai boundary areas. Macao-Hong Kong cross-boundary transport services fall into the following categories: buses, taxis, trucks and private vehicles. The three categories of buses, taxis and private vehicles are subject to quotas. As for freight transport, both Macao and Hong Kong are expected to permit trucks to cross boundaries in designated locations with daily quota limit; and Macao will construct logistics facilities for the operation.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong-Macao bus services will have an aggregate of 50 quotas to operate services on a daily basis, of which 34 will belong to Hong Kong entities and 16 to Macao entities. Customs clearance between Macao and Zhuhai will be conducted on a 'Joint Inspection and One-time Release' model whereby visitors will be required to pass border controls only once to complete departure and arrival formalities in order to make the process more efficient for visitors using the HKZM Bridge, with details of Customs clearance to be announced soon.