Channel NewsAsia 1 Dec 07;
SINGAPORE: The highest bridge in Singapore does not have a name yet, and Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has orgainsed a naming competition for those eager to leave their mark.
From now until the middle of January 2008, the public can visit the URA's website at www.ura.gov.sg to cast their votes.
The bridge across Henderson Road, which stands at 37 metres above ground, is Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge. Its centre portion was lifted into place just before dawn on Saturday.
The centre portion was put together in around 2.5 months, and took about five hours, at a speed of 10m per hour, for it to be lifted 37m above ground and fitted into place.
The cautious speed was due to the bridge's tilt, which meant lifting operations had to be done carefully, with engineers constantly checking the hydraulic jacks and cables.
Linking Mount Faber and Telok Blangah Hill, the bridge is part of the government's project to join the Southern Ridges.
One thing passers-by will notice about the bridge is that it has been built at an incline.
The structure is as such to accommodate the height difference between Mount Faber and Telok Blangah Hill, while allowing easy access for wheelchair users.
The bridge was mostly completed at about 5.15am on December 1. However, the pedestrian access will only be opened in February next year.- CNA/yb
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