With the integration of the Greater Bay Area, the need for Macau residents to drive into mainland China is increasing. Optimising cross-border road networks and traffic flow has become an urgent task for the SAR Government.
As the main land gateway, the Border Gate and its traffic are under heavy strain. According to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), 137,307 vehicles exited as of January 2026, a new record for the same period. Although dual-plate vehicles can use the Hengqin and Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge checkpoints, many drivers still prefer the Border Gate due to congestion on the bridge and the distance to Hengqin.
In response, it is suggested that traffic management be improved at the source. To reduce risks at intersections, routes should be redesigned, with clear road markings and warning signals to address blind spots. At the same time, the allocation of inspection booths should be reviewed, with consideration given to opening all lanes during peak hours.
It is also crucial to make use of currently idle booths near the bus stop area to create additional lanes, speeding up clearance and preventing heavy vehicles from cutting into queues. In the long term, alongside the urban renewal of the Border Gate area, the Light Rail project in Zone East-2 and the restructuring of the terminal, it is essential to integrate a “functional separation of traffic lanes” into top-level planning, physically separating buses from private vehicles.
Meanwhile, traffic flow at the Zhuhai checkpoint of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge also requires improvement. Lanes leading into the mainland currently merge vehicles from both Hong Kong and Macau. Without effective diversion, severe congestion occurs during weekends and holidays.
For Macau drivers, short trips become prolonged due to the lack of separation, as they must compete with Hong Kong vehicles, reducing convenience. It is suggested that the SAR Government engage with mainland authorities to establish “dedicated inbound and outbound lanes” for Macau vehicles, separating them from Hong Kong traffic to ensure smoother flow.
Border efficiency directly affects residents’ daily mobility. Through interdepartmental and cross-regional cooperation, authorities are expected to ease bottlenecks and create a safer and more efficient cross-border travel environment.
