The construction of a much-needed rainwater pumping station and associated underground pipes in the Inner Harbour district is over 60 percent complete, according to a statement published yesterday by the Public Works Bureau (known by its Portuguese initials DSOP).
The new infrastructure is intended to reduce flooding in the low-lying district, especially during typhoon season.
Besides the pumping station, it involves the building of a sewer pumping station, stormwater culverts, and underground rainwater and waste water pipes. Altogether, the various components of the project cover a length of 1.3 kilometres.
[See more: Major construction in the Inner Harbour is gridlocking traffic]
The DSOP says that the rainwater pumping station is currently being installed and inspected, while 317.2 metres of box culverts along Rua do Almirante Sérgio have been completed, along with 289 metres of box culverts between Dr. Lourenço Pereira Marques and Rua das Lorchas – roughly 58 percent of the total length required.
Currently, the project’s construction is still in its peak phase, with DSOP pointing out that it has been monitoring the situation at the construction sites to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. In order to ensure the flow of traffic, the bureau has undertaken construction work in phases. However, the project has led to major road blockages, further worsening Macao’s traffic woes.
Greater priority was given to the project following Typhoon Hato in 2017, which resulted in 10 deaths and 200 injured in the city, as well as financial loss of 11.47 billion patacas (US$1.42 billion). Subsequent severe weather and flooding have only added to the pumping station’s necessity.
