S$30m Keppel Bay Bridge opens to much fanfare

Channel NewsAsia 3 Jan 07;

SINGAPORE: A new S$30 million bridge to link Marina Bay and Keppel Island has been officially opened by President SR Nathan.

The Keppel Bay Bridge forms part of the new waterfront living experience in the Marina Bay area.

The 250-metre bridge links Keppel Island with the mainland. But it's more than just a bridge. The new link is adorned with special lights which can be programmed to enhance the atmosphere.

It took two years to complete the bridge, which is part of the master plan to transform Keppel Bay into a premier waterfront precinct.

Teo Soon Hoe, Senior Executive Director of Keppel Corporation, said: "We wanted to build a bridge between the mainland and the island. The island is now linked with a marina clubhouse. The boats are already in. It's just been completed and will be open soon. And we have the whole island which will provide more space to our tenants."

The bridge will come in handy when more water sports events are held here. And come January 19, the 10-team Clipper fleet presently racing from Australia to Singapore will be arriving at Marina Bay, and this bridge will be a central figure for the welcome party.

Apart from scenic views of Sentosa Island as well as the upcoming integrated resort, pedestrians can also get insights into the historical surroundings from the plaques placed along the walkway. - CNA/vm


Keppel Bay Bridge: a new waterfront icon
Business Times 4 Jan 08;

SINGAPORE'S newest bridge was officially opened by President SR Nathan yesterday evening to the accompaniment of a spectacular pyrotechnics show. It is the first public bridge to be built by a private developer and will be handed over to the Land Transport Authority.

Spanning 250 metres, Keppel Bay Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge locally.

About 300 guests attended the grand lighting-up ceremony. The bridge links Marina at Keppel Bay and future homes on the private Keppel Island to the mainland.

Designed by DCA Architects and TY Lin International, the bridge cost $30 million to build and forms part of the 32-hectare waterfront living precinct of Keppel Bay.

Programmable special effects lighting allow the pylon and stay cables to be spotlit, and the dynamic LED lights along the span of the bridge can be changed for different occasions.

To commemorate the historical significance of Keppel Harbour, informative plaques are placed along both sides of the bridge.

These plaques feature images and nuggets of information on places of historical significance such as Sentosa, Labrador Park, Mount Faber and the former Keppel Shipyard.