Preparatory work is going smoothly on the third bridge linking Macao peninsula up with Taipa island, according to the Office for Development of Infrastructure.

The new bridge, scheduled to begin the construction by the end of this year, will lie between the western part of Macao peninsula and Taipa island, with a length of no more than 1.2 kilometers, and be built at a cost of 200 million to 300 million patacas (US$25 million to 37.5 million).

In line with a plan, the most striking difference between the third bridge and the existing two is the new one having two floors -- the lower floor will be shut down in common days and open only when typhoon hits the city.

A. Jose Castanheira Lourenco, director of the office for development of infrastructure, said Wednesday that the project will promote the city's long-suffering construction sector and ease the unemployment pressure.

He expected work to be completed at the end of 2004.

The Macao peninsula and Taipa island were first linked by a two- lane bridge in 1974, greatly boosting the development of the island.

But the bridge found it increasingly difficult to undertake mounting traffic in the coming decade, prompting the second cross- sea bridge to occur in 1994.

The vast majority of Macao residents now live on the peninsular, while Taipa island accommodates the Macao International Airport, the University of Macao, a large stadium, a horse-racing ground, three casinos and several residential quarters.

( People's Daily June 13, 2002 )