The Government is to start a new round of public consultation over the first phase of the proposed 4.2 billion patacas elevated light rail system. The Director of the Infrastructure Development Office, Mr António José Castanheira Lourenço, announced at a press conference today that the railway could be up and running 48 months after the acceptance of tender. He said the government was proposing the construction of the system after studying reports from the consultant company and seeking public opinion. The first phase of the proposed light railway will span some 22 kilometres, with a total of 26 stations, starting from the Bordergate checkpoint and running through the Sai Van Bridge to the airport and Cotai. Mr Lourenço gave the reasons for opting for an elevated system rather than an underground -- less complicated construction techniques, a shorter construction period, lower construction and operational costs, and less impact to the retail trade. The railway system would operate 19 hours a day, with trains running at three-minute intervals during rush hour periods. Feeder bus and other public transportation networks will be set up at the main railway stations for commuters travelling to other districts. Apart from the route in the first phase of construction, the Infrastructure Development Office would continue to study the feasibility of the following three routes: one connecting the A-Ma Temple and the Bordergate, one connecting the eastern and western part of the peninsula and one encircling Taipa. The public consultation, including seminars and photographs and models exhibition, will be launched next month and is expected to last four months.
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