On March 12th, with the joint efforts of the maritime authorities in Zhuhai and Macao, the installation of the last bridge deck segment was completed for the Macao’s largest cross-sea bridge – the Macao-Taipa Fourth Bridge, allowing for the successful closure of the entire bridge.
It is understood that the bridge deck segments were transported to the construction site by vessel via water routes. Cranes were then used to hoist the segments up to the bridge deck height for docking and installation. This operation took place at the sea entrance of the Macao Channel, an important juncture for ships entering and exiting the Xjiang River and traveling between Hong Kong and Macao, with over 200 vessel movements per day creating complex traffic flows.
Due to the high requirements for water-based operations during bridge deck hoisting, this operation required 30 consecutive hours of maritime traffic control by the maritime authorities of Zhuhai and Macao in the surrounding waters to prevent other vessels from entering the construction site and causing unnecessary impacts.
It is reported that since the first steel beam was lifted for the Macao-Taipa Fourth Bridge on November 28, 2022 until the successful closure on March 12, 2024, the Zhuhai Maritime Safety Administration implemented 18 maritime traffic control operations. Over 170 personnel were dispatched, with more than 80 patrol vessel deployments, accumulating over 360 hours to support the in-depth Guangdong-Macao cooperation and promote new achievements.
The Macao-Taipa Fourth Bridge mainline is approximately 3.1 kilometers long, connecting Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Boundary Crossing Facilities. Upon completion, it will join the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to become an important channel for Macao to further integrate into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This is of great significance for enhancing Macao’s role in connecting with the world and better integrating into the country’s overall development.