Friendship Bridge night closures: what changes during Macau’s A3 works

Macau drivers and overnight bus passengers should allow extra time around Friendship Bridge during two scheduled A3 construction windows. The Public Works Bureau and Transport Bureau say temporary traffic controls apply from 20 to 25 September and again from 4 to 13 October 2026, each night from 00:00 to 05:30.

Which roads are affected?

The official notice says the entire Friendship Bridge carriageway towards Taipa is closed during the nightly work periods, along with multiple surrounding road sections. The listed controls include the entrance to the reservoir flyover on Avenida da Amizade towards Taipa, a section of Avenida da Ponte da Amizade near Rotunda da Amizade towards Taipa, and a section of Friendship Bridge in the direction of the Border Gate/Macau side. Vehicles are also barred from turning right from the A1 bridge ramp into Avenida da Ponte da Amizade towards Taipa during the controlled hours.

The important exception is traffic travelling from Taipa towards the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal: authorities say that movement remains open as normal.

What is the recommended detour?

For trips between Taipa and the Areia Preta/Border Gate side of the peninsula, the government advises using New Urban Zone Area A and Macau Bridge. The Public Works Bureau and Transport Bureau also encourage drivers travelling between the peninsula and Taipa to consider Macau Bridge or Sai Van Bridge while the works are active.

This matters most after midnight, when a route that is normally straightforward can involve a different bridge and approach. If you are catching an early flight, ferry or cross-border connection, leave a margin rather than planning around your usual overnight driving time.

Which buses are being diverted?

Several public bus services are temporarily rerouted or skip selected stops during the closure windows. The official schedule identifies impacts involving routes 30, 34, 51, 51A, 56 and AP1. The exact effect varies by direction: some journeys skip specific stops, while services 30, 34 and 56 have diversions where their normal intermediate stops remain in service.

Because bus operations can be adjusted while roadworks are under way, passengers should check the current notices from TCM or Transmac before a late-night trip rather than relying only on the route list above.

Why is the closure happening?

The controls support the planned steel box-girder launching work for the A3 connecting bridge. The road restrictions are staged overnight to create a controlled work zone while keeping other movements operating where possible. The government notice was issued on 18 September 2026, two days before the first closure window began.

What should residents and travellers do?

• Drivers: plan the bridge choice before leaving, particularly for peninsula–Taipa trips after midnight.
• Airport passengers: AP1 is among the listed affected routes; confirm the latest stop arrangement before travelling.
• Ferry passengers: the Taipa-to-Outer Harbour direction on Friendship Bridge remains open, but allow for surrounding traffic changes.
• Hotel and casino staff finishing late: check employer transport and public-bus notices if your commute normally uses Friendship Bridge.
• Everyone: treat the published scheme as the current plan, not a guarantee that every night will operate identically if site or traffic conditions change.

Dates to keep in mind

As of 22 September 2026, the first works window is in progress and runs through the early hours of 25 September. The second scheduled window begins on 4 October and continues through 13 October, again from midnight to 05:30 each day. Outside those stated hours, this particular overnight closure scheme does not apply, though normal road conditions and any separate works still need to be checked.