LANDMARK BRIDGE FOR MARINA BAY – A WORLD’S FIRST IN ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING DESIGN

http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/


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The bridge will link the Bayfront area to Marina Centre, completing a walking route that brings visitors to the major attractions around the bay including the Esplanade and the future Integrated Resort and Singapore Flyer. The new 280metre-long bridge is envisaged to be a destination point for all visitors to Marina Bay – a place for them to enjoy and catch a panoramic view of the Singapore city skyline.


New Bridge at MarinaBay
There are two components to the new bridge – a six-lane vehicular connection and a six-metre wide curved pedestrian connection that embraces Marina Bay.


World’s First ‘Double-helix’ Design
The pedestrian connection incorporates a unique ‘double-helix’ structure, a world’s first in architectural and engineering bridge design. It comprises two opposite spiraling steel members that are held together by a series of connecting struts to form a tubular structure. This provides an inherent strength, ideal for the curved form. Its resemblance to the structure of DNA, the basic building block of life, symbolises “life and continuity”, “renewal”, “everlasting abundance” and “growth”, reflecting our aspirations for Marina Bay.


Panoramic Views
Visitors can take in the views of the city skyline and waterfront or watch events happening within the Bay from the bridge’s viewing platforms (‘pods’). Four of the pods will extend out over the water and include glass openings in the floor to provide visual connection to the water below. The fifth will be located on the northern bank. Each pod will be designed according to a different theme, such as the five natural elements - earth, metal, water, wood and fire.


Unique Crossing Experience
Crossing the bridge will be a unique and pleasant experience.


The inner spiral of the double-helix design will be used to support fritted-glass and steel mesh canopies. The canopies will be designed as artwork and will be installed at strategic locations to offer shade for pedestrians. In between, areas will be left open to allow unblocked views of the Bay. Seats will be provided at resting points.


At night, the bridge will be illuminated by a series of lights that will enhance the double-helix design and visitors’ experience. These lights can be programmed with different colours and effects to set the mood for various festivals and events.


Creative Artwork
To encourage civic participation in the design of the new bridge and develop a sense of ownership amongst the local community, a number of Singapore youths will be selected through an `Art Competition’ to work with recognised local artists to develop ideas for artworks and to integrate them into the design of the new bridge. These artworks will be based on the theme of “Aspirations for Life in Singapore”. See fact sheet at Annex 1 for details.


The ‘pods’, shade canopies, railings, seats and floor finishes along the pedestrian connection will provide a canvas for the artwork. This will enliven the pedestrian’s experience and create a distinctive sense of place and identity.


Vehicular Connection
The vehicular connection will link the future Bayfront Avenue and the planned Integrated Resort to Raffles Avenue at the junction with Temasek Avenue, next to the upcoming Singapore Flyer. Its simple design blends in with the existing BenjaminShearesBridge to form a backdrop to the sculptural pedestrian connection.

WOW:banana:

interesting design :okay:

Design to also use less steel than bridge with box girders or cables

By Tan Hui Yee

THE unique design of the glass and steel bridge across Marina Bay will give visitors a continually changing view as they cross the 280m-long structure, say its designers.



Singapore's longest pedestrian bridge will be held together by two connected steel spirals to form a double helix and will curve gently over the water, rising to 8.8m at its highest point.

'In fact, you won't even know the way you are going until (you walk up) halfway,' explained Mr Tristram Carfrae, a structural engineer from Australian firm Arup, which designed the bridge together with Cox Group and Singapore firm Architects 61.

The bridge, which can take the weight of 6,000 to 8,000 people, will link the planned Singapore Flyer - a giant observation wheel - on one end and the future integrated resort on the other.



The director of Cox Architects & Planners, Professor Philip Cox, said the design team started out wanting to produce a bridge 'supremely elegant and almost understated', and yet a landmark in its own right.

It also had to be radically different.

'Cities throughout the world are distinguished by their bridges - Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Golden Gate (in San Francisco) or the Tower Bridge in London,' he said, and the Marina bridge had to stand out from the rest and be 'identifiable with Singapore itself'.

This meant that box-girder bridges - typically used for flyovers - or those supported by cables were out.

The team had wanted initially to create a bridge supported by a 'fish net' structure, a design they felt was unique to South-east Asia.

But the panel that selected the consultants felt that walking through a 'fish net' would be too claustrophobic, so the team simplified the design to resemble a double helix, like that of DNA, to symbolise life and growth.

This means the bridge will use just 20 per cent of the steel required for a box-girder bridge, and 60 per cent of one supported by cables. This is expected to save millions in construction costs, although exact figures are unavailable.

The team is now fine-tuning the design to create more air movement on the bridge to keep pedestrians cool.

Construction is expected to start at the end of this year and be completed in 2009.

The bridge will connect a host of new developments - high-end apartments, a business and financial centre, and three waterfront gardens - planned for the new downtown. The pedestrian bridge, together with an adjacent new vehicle bridge, will cost $82.9 million.

30 March 2007

Construction of New Bridge at Marina Bay Begins

The construction of the new landmark bridge at Marina Bay began today with a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan. The bridge is a significant infrastructure planned and put in place by the government to support the successful development of Marina Bay. This new vehicular and pedestrian bridge will link the Bayfront to Marina Centre, and complete a 3.5km walking route around the bay.

Designed by an international design consortium comprising Australian architects Cox Group and engineers Arup Pte Ltd, with Singapore-based Architects 61, the 280-metre pedestrian linkway - the longest in Singapore - will sport a world’s first ‘double-helix’ structure. Its resemblance to the structure of DNA, the basic building block of life, symbolises “life and continuity”, “renewal”, “everlasting abundance” and “growth”, reflecting our aspirations for Marina Bay.

Sato Kogyo (S) Pte Ltd clinchéd the tender to construct the vehicular and pedestrian bridge at a total cost of S$82.9 million. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be the project manager for this bridge construction and also maintain the bridge upon completion in end 2009. LTA has experience and track record in building bridges, flyovers and viaducts in Singapore, such as the Esplanade Bridge, the Jurong Pier Flyover and the West Coast Highway.

The start of construction of the new bridge at Marina Bay is a significant development milestone towards realising Marina Bay’s vision as a 24/7 live, work, and play environment that integrates residential use, business centres and entertainment facilities. The bridge will link up major attractions around the bay including the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, and future ones like the Marina Bay Integrated Resort, Singapore Flyer, heritage developments at Collyer Quay and Gardens by the Bay.


The bridge is part of the government’s $2 billion investment to build the infrastructure base for the area, which includes the Common Services Tunnel, the Marina Barrage, the Downtown Extension and a new waterfront promenade.

Visitors can look forward to a unique and memorable crossing experience. Visitors can catch a panoramic view of the city skyline and watch events happening within the Bay from viewing platforms located at strategic spots along the bridge. At the northern end of the bridge, people can look forward to a fun-filled experience at Singapore’s first Art Park. It will feature the creative works of Singapore youths, selected during an Art Competition last year. The completion of the landmark bridge at Marina Bay and Art Park in 2009 will add to the exciting developments in Marina Bay. It will complete the loop of attractions around the Bay area, and be another unique attraction in Singapore.

Who is the girl in your post and what is she doing there? Is that you kiwitam?