A GROUND-BREAKING ceremony was held Monday for Macao’s third cross-sea bridge linking the western parts of Macao Peninsular and Taipa Island.

　　The 1,720-meter-long bridge will be built by the China Zhongtie Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd., at a cost of 560.18 million patacas (US$70 million). It will be a six-lane bridge with two decks. The lower deck will normally be closed and open only when a typhoon hits the city. Another feature will be an M-shaped arched gateway at the entrance to Macao.

　　This will be the largest public project since Macao returned to the motherland at the end of 1999. It is scheduled for completion within 28 months.

　　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 was found to be inadequate with increasing traffic, prompting a second bridge to be built in 1994.

　　The majority of Macao residents still live on the peninsular bordering Zhuhai City, while Taipa Island accommodates the Macao International Airport, the University of Macao, a large stadium, a horse-racing track, three casinos and several residential areas.

　　(SD-Agencies)