Southern Ridges bridge almost ready

Tree's Company
Crystal Chan, New Paper 7 Apr 08;

THE curvy form of the bridge has been a familiar sight to those travelling along Alexandra Road near Depot Road.

It holds the promise of nature walks that could take you from Kent Ridge Park near the National University of Singapore to Telok Blangah Hill Park to Mount Faber Park, and finally, even HarbourFront MRT Station if you are game.

Workers were still putting the finishing touches to the bridge last week.

But next month, that 80m-long bridge, officially named Alexandra Link, is expected to come alive as it opens to the public, along with the other park connectors for all three parks.

SOUTHERN RIDGES

The Southern Ridges, as the hilly parks are collectively called, stretches about 9km.

For those who work and live in the south-western part of Singapore, Alexandra Link, together with Henderson Crossing - also getting its finishing touches - opens the gateway to nature trails for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as the disabled for exercise and leisure.

Residents in the area who spoke to The New Paper on Sunday were excited at the completion of the two bridges, which took about two years to build.

Referring to the HSBC Treetop Walk, accountant Adeline Tan, 26, said: 'Soon, we'll have our very own treetop walk without having to go to MacRitchie Reservoir.

'It beats having to drive to the Lornie Road area.'

ELEVATED WALKWAY

Alexandra Link, touted to be able to handle mass events such as walkathons, is joined to a 1.6km long meandering elevated walkway that eventually leads you to Telok Blangah Hill Park (see map below).

The elevated walkway is without steps and designed to hug the steep slopes, allowing the elderly and disabled to travel the distance at ease.

For the fitter types who prefer a more challenging climb off the walkways, there are trails that go up to an elevation of about 70m (or about 21 storeys).

The second connector, Henderson Crossing, links Telok Blangah Hill Park to Mount Faber with a 270m-long bridge over Henderson Road.

In addition, an 800m-long foot trail is being constructed that takes visitors from Mount Faber to the HarbourFront MRT Station.

The project to link the parks were first announced in 2002, and a competition was held to select designers for the project.

For those who prefer moonlit walks and twinkling views of the city and harbour, the bridges - which boast wave-like designs - will also be lit after dark to add to the nightscape.