Helix Bridge

Helix Bridge

I walked across the Helix Bridge with my family in tow recently.

My first few steps walking along the Helix Bridge did not reveal anything unusual about the newest bridge to be built with great fanfare in Singapore.

From afar, Helix Bridge looks like a curved bridge. This is confirmed when I find myself walking up the slopes at one end of the Helix Bridge, against the pull of gravity.

Helix Bridge is a double helix designed bridge. Yes, it looks like coils of wire and steel were supporting the weight of the Helix Bridge.

Once on the bridge, I did not feel that I could walk up along the walls of steel and wire to complete a loop such that I would end up walking upside down when standing on the roof of the Helix Bridge.

That is impossible and would serve no real purpose except to humour people like me.

The real thrill of walking along this Helix Bridge is to feel the vibration and sway - almost like a bounce, when runners start pushing their way across it.

Coincidence had it that by the time I was midway across the Helix Bridge, runners participating in the 2010 Bull Charge race were huffing and puffing their way across the Helix Bridge.

While the floor and supporting structures of the Helix Bridge looked solid, I did not realize that it was more like a suspension bridge that bounces.

If you plan to take photographs on prolonged exposures on this bridge, be prepared for the perceptible movements and the camera shake.

Have you seen to the Helix Bridge of Singapore for yourself?

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Singapore Sights At Limbang Park

Picture: Limbang Park has astrological Singapore sights.

Singapore Sights At Limbang Park

One of the unusual Singapore sights that I found at Limbang Park was a mini-zoo of animals cast in stone. Whether you are a tourist or a local, the twelve stone statues of the 12 animals as sighted in the Chinese Zodiac will surely impress.

The ancient Chinese method of counting the years involved a cyclical pattern of twelve animals where each Zodiac animal belonged to one particular year. The astrological animals that were used: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar would reappear every twelve years.

At Limbang Park, you do not need to wait 12 long years to catch sight of these Zodiac animals. In less than twelve minutes, you would be able to snap a photo with each of them at this park located at Choa Chu Kang Street 5, Singapore.

Picture: Unique Singapore sight of a Bridge at Limbang Park.

Other Singapore sight at Limbang Park that would fascinate visitors would be a wobbly suspension-like bridge. Walking across this bridge was fun as it required good posture and adequate balance to cross the wooden steps without holding on to the railings.

Other Singapore sights at the spacious Limbang Park enticed visitors of all ages to linger. A children's playground should attract kids' interest while a senior citizen's exercise corner should find company with others. Youngsters would rejoice at the courts for basketball and street soccer.

Another one of the Singapore sights for tourists or locals could be found under the MRT line that connects Yew Tee MRT and Choa Chu Kang MRT stations. I found graffiti all over a plaque sitting on a globe-like pedestal. Some would call it vandalism, others would label it art.

Picture of Singapore sight: Graffiti or Art?

What do you think of this Singapore sight?

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Marina Reservoir at Marina Barrage: Singapore's Newest City Reservoir

Picture of Marina Barrage by the Marina Reservoir.

Marina Reservoir at Marina Barrage: Singapore's Newest City Reservoir

With the formation of Marina Barrage, Marina Bay has been turned into Marina Reservoir, Singapore's newest and youngest reservoir. The newly built Marina Barrage of Marina Reservoir has thus turned into the latest must-see attraction for Seen This Scene That.

To acquaint myself with this newest reservoir in the city, I brought my family of five for a visit to the hippest attraction in town at the Marina Barrage recently.

Located at 260, Marina Way in Marina South, the Marina Barrage is built on a far-flung patch of reclaimed land. To drive to Marina Barrage is not exactly a walk in the park, what with road diversions, land construction and high heavy-vehicle buzz along the roads. Fortunately, the property’s physical isolation meant fewer visitors to compete for free lots at the only car park on its premises. For those who do not drive, I believe there are shuttle buses at the car park waiting half-hourly to bring visitors from Marina Bay MRT Station.

Compared to older reservoirs like MacRitchie Reservoir or Upper Seletar Reservoir, I found this new Singapore dam and its reservoir different in many ways.

At ground level upon my arrival at the Marina Barrage, the obvious difference is the presence of massive concrete. There is little feel of a green vibrant park, although pockets of shrubbery exist. I would soon find out on exploring the area that the Marina Barrage takes after the form of our city, purpose-built to perfection.

One standout theme is the dedication and detail put into building the Marina Barrage in order to create the Marina Reservoir. To construct the Marina Barrage, plenty of engineering oomph was required because of the width and depth of the Marina Bay outlet. The Marina Barrage, with the Marina Bridge across it, is a highly sophisticated dam constructed across Marina Channel near the mouth of the Marina Bay. Complicated parts that work magic on this high-tech dam remain hidden in the bowels of an adjacent building.

According to PUB, the purpose-built Marina Barrage has three functions: for water supply, for flood control and as a lifestyle attraction.

The reservoir water in the Marina Basin is expected to turn into fresh water after a year or two. When that happens, more drinking water will be released for public use.

Marina Barrage prevents flooding as far upriver as Chinatown, Boat Quay and Geylang by regulating the water level in the Marina Reservoir with state-of-the-art technologies.

The recreational function of the Marina Barrage is of interest to me. In fact, it is the main reason I am at the 15th reservoir of Singapore. Most of the fun activities at the Marina Barrage occur outside the waters of the Marina Reservoir, unless you count the bumboat rides on the Marina Basin that are available for sight-seers keen to explore more of Marina Reservoir.

I think the obligatory recreational activity for all visitors to the Marina Barrage must be to walk along the 350-metre long dam (Marina Bridge) and then do a U-turn for the return stroll. I suggest you check out the east abutment where the boat hoist and access ramp are, especially when there are boats transported into or out of the Marina Basin.

The dam possesses nine tent-like shelters or piers that face the city skyline. Seats are available for romantic couples or families out for a picnic to gather under these pavilions to enjoy sunset views of our Central Business District. Just choose one and snap all the photos that your family album requires.

Picture of CBD night scene across the Marina Reservoir from the Marina Bridge.

The scenery around the 350-metre-long Marina Barrage has distinctive facades. On one side of the Marina Barrage, the view consists of built-up scenery of Singapore's commercial space like no other local reservoir. On the opposite side of the Marina Barrage, the open sea, dotted by ocean-going vessels, is laid bare. To top it off, 360-degree views of Marina South and beyond are afforded at the rooftop of the new Marina Barrage building.

Picture: Green rooftop of Marina Barrage.

Inside this Marina Barrage building, I found unique features not seen at other reservoirs in Singapore.

For instance, the Sustainable Singapore Gallery is a museum-like exhibition space with interactive multi-media tools that educate and engage visitors. The sloping green rooftop, with its 405 solar panels and weird geometric shape, is an excellent place at the Marina Barrage to breathe fresh air and enjoy city scenes. Large glass walls reveal the innards of the water pump station that should intrigue visitors who like to learn about the technical workings of the Marina Barrage. Food and beverage shop spaces were available but at the time of my visit, not all F&B establishments were ready for business.

While other reservoirs in Singapore have the standard-looking neighbourhood children’s playground, the Marina Barrage offers the newest children’s playground of a different kind. Jets of water spout from hidden holes on the floor of the Water Playground to delight happy children. Illuminated by colourful lighting, these water fountain displays provide entertainment for adults as well who visit the Marina Barrage in the evenings.

Although older reservoirs in Singapore have designated fishing spots, Marina Reservoir has none. Fishing enthusiasts will have to wait until Public Utilities Board (PUB) designates the proper sites for fishing (if any) at the Marina Reservoir. In the meantime, there is plenty of space for sea-water fishing along the banks of Marina South, just next to the car park at the Marina Barrage.

I hope that in the future, there will be guided nature walks around the Barrage for visitors curious to know if there are fauna and flora in a city reservoir. For now, the only guided tours are those conducted inside the Sustainable Singapore Gallery.

What I saw of the immediate surroundings beyond the Marina Barrage did not impress. Perhaps when the world-class Gardens By The Bay project is completed, the aesthetic factor of the its neighbours would rise above the concrete peaks achieved at Marina Barrage that created Singapore’s newest city reservoir.

More details at PUB's Marina Reservoir / Marina Barrage site.

My posts, map, photograph on Marina Barrage, Marina Reservoir.

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Lighted Scenic Place In Singapore

Lighted Scenic Place In Singapore

Illuminated from 7pm to 1am nightly during the Singapore Biennale 2008, Lightlines is a public art installation by Hans Peter Kuhn from Germany that lights up the bowels of Esplanade Bridge. It will turn the Esplanade Bridge scene into a lighted scenic place in Singapore until November 16, 2008.

Picture: Lightlines at a lighted scenic place in Singapore.

Six 50-metre-long rods of neon light are placed through the triangular space under the Esplanade Bridge columns. With twilight, these strips of neon will glow pale white that are meant to inspire wonder.

Visitors can view this lighted scenic place from the Merlion Park , Esplanade Park and along the stretch next to Singapore's Esplanade Theatres By The Bay. Those who take a boat out for a cruise on the Marina Bay can get a closer view of this lighted scenic place.

Lightlines reminds me of the light-sabres used in combat in a George Lucas galaxy far far away, where Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Alec Guinness (Ben Obiwan Kenobe) fought David Prowse (Darth Vader) in the original 1977 Stars Wars classic.

Like Stars Wars, that other magically lighted place with lots of scenic shots, this Singapore Biennale SB 2008 installation is something of a wonder to me. Visit this lighted art installation and place yourself under its scenic spell. May the Force be with you.

What else do the lighted neon tubes remind you of?

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MacRitchie Nature Trail: Tree Top Bridge

Photo: A section of MacRitchie Tree Top bridge.

MacRitchie Nature Trail: Tree Top Bridge

This 25-metre high bridge, smack in the midst of Singapore’s Central Water Catchment Area at MacRitchie Reservoir, is a must-see nature-trail attraction for many reasons. Visitors who dislike walking with crowds on nature trails will love to know that they can enjoy the bridge nowadays without fear of being elbowed by passers-by. At the Tree Top Bridge on a recent Saturday mid-morning, I discovered more surprises at this pleasant nature trail.

See rainforest panorama
For a bird’s-eyed view of Singapore’s natural rainforest scene, this must qualify as the best. Look to either side of MacRitchie’s Tree Top Bridge and be impressed by the amount of greenery that our built-up island still possesses.

See canopy’s flora and fauna
Like me, if you do not have any inkling about the names of various flora and fauna that hide within this green trail, do not fret. You can still enjoy the lovely sights of nature with the aid of many signboards. These useful letters pinned on the bridge educate visitors on the various plants, trees, insects and creatures that make up the inhabitants of the MacRitchie nature trail.

See a suspension bridge
I had expected this HSBC TreeTop suspension bridge to oscillate like a pendulum upon crossing, But the steel mesh beneath my shoes did not move a centimetre even when I jumped. Only the impact of my landing seemed to resonate across the entire bridge length. As I grabbed the railings for support, it swung like a pendulum, and I am sure those walking behind me must have felt it and shot me with their dagger-eyes.

Photo: MacRitchie Tree Top Bridge guardpost.

See guardpost and a ranger
Security at high places extends to the Tree Top Bridge in MacRitchie. This is the highest public bridge in a Singapore nature trail that is guarded by security personnel. The shy guard was not keen to have his photograph taken but my approach allowed me to peep at his rather bare booth. I think the guard’s duty is to enforce the one-way route across the Tree Top Bridge and to look the gates after closing time.

Gate on MacRitchie Tree Top Bridge.

See a swing gate
This bridge has two gates. Walk pass the second gate only if you are done enjoying the Tree Top Bridge. Once you pass this second gate, it will swing shut and lock you out automatically. These gates must also qualify as the highest gates installed on a bridge located in a nature trail in Singapore.

The Tree Top walkway spans Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang, the two highest points in MacRitchie. This 25-metre high walkway was completed in July 2004 and cost about S$1.6 million. It is the first suspension bridge to be built in Singapore.

Read more in Seen This Scene That:
1. Mangrove Nature Trail, Pasir Ris Park
2. Henderson Bridge, Southern Ridges’ Nature Trail
3. Anchorvale Street Bridge in Sengkang

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Riverside Greenery At Anchorvale Street Bridge, Sengkang Singapore

above: click on image for larger view

Riverside Greenery At Anchorvale Street Bridge, Sengkang, Singapore

This recent photograph was taken on Anchorvale Street Bridge in Singapore’s Sengkang estate as it crosses Sungei Punggol. In the picture above, I tried to capture the sense of natural spaces dwarfing concrete places at Anchorvale in Sengkang. The riverside greenery towards Lorong Buangkok on the south side of the bridge, in my opinion, is better than the other side facing the Tampines Expressway.

The Anchorvale Street Bridge is used for pedestrian and vehicular crossing with a LRT track running above it. Cyclists, joggers, drivers and opportunistic passers-by like me have been spotted using this bridge for different agendas. Those with two wheels or two feet would line up at the extreme lanes that double up as foot and bicycle pathways, while four-wheel owners would take to the four carriageways near the road divider.

Seats are available at the walkways for couples to cuddle or for tired joggers to catch their breaths in sight of river views. I have seen anglers on fishing assignments reel in an afternoon catch while cyclists would stop to admire the scenery. I think passengers in LRT trains get the best views as they can check out the horizon on either side of the bridge from the elevated position of the train track, although I have yet to test out my theory.

The design of the bridge seems to be a fuss-free functional one with little attempt to impress users. River scenery and lots of greenery that pleasure the heart go the distance to compensate for a bridge long on utility and short on aesthetics.

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Southern Ridges: Henderson Waves, Highest Pedestrian Bridge In Singapore

Southern Ridges: Henderson Waves, Highest Pedestrian Bridge In Singapore

Henderson Waves is Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge linking Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park that forms part of the Southern Ridges. The two parks join forces with Hort Park, Kent Ridge Park and West Coast Park to form a corridor of green spaces known as the Southern Ridges of Singapore.

For a detailed map of the Southern Ridges of Singapore, you can download the file at Npark's website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sr-map.pdf

Last Sunday morning, I was curious enough to visit Henderson Waves to familiarize myself with this new place in Singapore's scheme of parks. To reach the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, I chose my start point at Telok Blangah Hill Park as it had the nearest carpark. However, many other vehicle owners (and many more waiting at the car parks and roads) had beaten me to the limited lots available there. A quick change of plans ensured that I found a free parking lot (on Sundays, Public Holidays only) along Telok Blangah Heights next to Block 60.

From the car park, my wife and I crossed Telok Blangah Heights and made our way past a lotus pond as we climbed steps and slopes up to the Hilltop Walk at Telok Blangah Hill Park. In less than six minutes, the Singapore Southern Ridges’ highest pedestrian bridge, Henderson Waves, beckoned.

Pedestrian flows at Telok Blangah Hill Park and Henderson Waves were heavy compared to the time that I visited and wrote in my post before construction of Singapore’s Henderson Waves was completed. This was within expectation and I believe it will be quieter on weekdays and even on weekends after another three to six months when the novelty of the new bridge wears off.

The Southern Ridges’ Henderson Waves is a one-of-a-kind pedestrian bridge like no other. Its unusual wave-like form gives an impression of a giant caterpillar wriggling across a tight rope from one Singaporean hilltop to another. There are seven steel “ribs” that curve above and under its deck. These “ribs” form alcoves that provide shade from the hot late morning sun and also provide seating areas. The decking is made of strips of yellow balau wood that leaves gaps large enough for me to peep at the traffic 36 metres below my shoes. The decking appears to slant with the higher end at Telok Blangah Hill Park. Readings of the height of the bridge above sea level carved into the slabs of wood confirm my suspicion.

There is also a security camera on Singapore’s Henderson Bridge presumably to keep a lookout for any hanky panky along the 300-metre long bridge. This may arguably make it the only pedestrian bridge in Singapore and along the Southern Ridges to have a security camera installed as part of its design.

For a run-of-the-mill pedestrian bridge, we would have walked across a bridge of this length within three minutes. But as this was a record-setting pedestrian bridge in Singapore and the prime reason for our visit here, we broke our own records for the slowest amble across Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge. The views to the north of Henderson Waves consisted mainly of Singapore’s Bukit Merah housing estate and beyond. To the south, a glimpse of the distant sea was available for photography. Under the pedestrian bridge, vehicular lanes dominated the view bounded by trees and vegetation.

I was glad that I did not bring my foldable bicycle along for this trip. Cyclists will have to navigate up some pretty steep slopes to reach Henderson Waves from Telok Blangah Hill Park. They would not be allowed to cycle across the bridge but could push their bicycles across the entire span of Henderson Waves. The use of skate scooters, roller blades, baby prams, high heels and other mobility devices will face difficulty due to the gaps in the flooring of the deck.

I plan to return to the Southern Ridge’s Henderson Waves for another visit at a later period when the novelty crowd is thinner; to catch the 7pm to 2am LED light up of the bridge. The prospect of witnessing a light show of Henderson Waves, the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, is a mouth-watering thought indeed.

To get to the Southern Ridges’ Henderson Waves, bus service numbers 131, 145, 176 or 648 will take you to Henderson Road where you can climb up the stairs up to Mount Faber Park. For Singaporeans who drive, there are 17 lots at Mt Faber car park D and 39 lots at car park 1 and 2 at Telok Blangah Hill Park.


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Esplanade Bridge: Walk, Jog Or Run In Competitions And At Leisure

Esplanade Bridge: Walk, Jog Or Run In Competitions And At Leisure

History of Esplanade Bridge
Built in1997, this 270-metre-long Esplanade Bridge was used to relieve vehicular traffic loads on Connaught Drive and to connect the Marina Centre area where Suntec City sits, with Shenton Way. Today, pedestrians and sightseers can walk at leisure along either sides of the 70-metre wide Esplanade Bridge for a breathtaking view of the heart of Singapore’s civic district.

Architectural Structure of Esplanade Bridge
The construct of Esplanade Bridge has seven concrete arches that support two four-lane carriageways. Barges and small boats can travel under the bridge that starts near the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay at one end, to the Merlion Park at the other end.

Competitive Mass Walk/Jog On Esplanade Bridge
Besides vehicular usage on its carriageways, Esplanade Bridge is arguably the most popular bridge for mass participation, competitions and similar activities. The Standard Chartered Marathon saw 40,000 participants in 2007. The Singapore Bay Run (also known as the Sheares Bridge Run / Army Half Marathon) had an estimated 70,000 runners crossing the Esplanade Bridge last year.

Enjoy The Sights
As you make your way across the Esplanade Bridge facing the waters of Marina Bay, your eyes will be exposed to the vast expanse of sky, sea and urban enclave clinging along the Singapore River mouth. Before you, the site where the future Sands Marina Bay Integrated Resort and Casino will be built was once reclaimed land. Behind this Integrated Resort, the Benjamin Sheares Bridge rises above the bay past the Singapore Flyer. All these sites will form part of the embankment of the future freshwater Marina Bay Reservoir.

Under the Esplanade Bridge, you can take a peep at the underbelly of this bridge. The arch support rising from the waters can e discerned as you traverse parts of the Merlion Park. For more details about the Merlion Park that I wrote in an earlier post on Seen This Scene That, click this link.

On the opposite side of the Esplanade Bridge, the concrete jungle of the Central Business
District will block out part of Singapore’s sky. While the daylight views of the city are commonplace sights like those in other highly urbanized capitals of the world, the night scene is a different kettle of fish. After your competitive run, I would recommend that you return in the evening. The visual feast of the night-lit Fullerton Hotel and its surrounding buildings will amply reward your efforts to add more spice to your after hours.

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Anderson Bridge: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Anderson Bridge: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

I could regurgitate verbatim all the staid details about Anderson Bridge like the fact that it was built in 1920 and named after Sir John Anderson, then Governor of the Straits Settlements. If you really like such a textbook version, head for the National Library Board’s officious document.

Borrowing the title from a 1974 John le Carre novel, here is my version of the Anderson Bridge based on the words “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”.

Tinker, Tailor
Town planners first tinkered with the idea of building Anderson Bridge to replace Cavenagh Bridge as it was judged to obstruct larger vessels from entering the Singapore River. The design concept of Anderson Bridge was thus tailored to permit more commerce up the Singapore River by boat. However even after the new bridge was built, administrators kept Cavenagh Bridge on its payroll, minus the vehicular loads.

The new bridge links the present Fullerton Road and Connaught Drive with two lanes on each side of a central divider. The architectural design of Anderson Bridge is of worthwhile mention. It has metalwork and plaster intricacies like no other bridges in Singapore. Three steel arches prop up steel ribs that extend across them like a scaffold. At each end of the bridge are two rusticated archways and a fluted pier.

Soldier, Spy
A morbid historical detail hangs from the arches of Anderson Bridge. During World War II, military soldiers strung dead heads of suspected civilian spies on the bridge as a threat to warn others not to break the law or aid the resistant movement. Such psychological warfare, while cruel and inhuman, has been a recurring practice in the history of wars. As a reminder to the younger generation who were born after WWII, this bridge and its heritage status should be highlighted.

Future Clues
Come 28 September 2008, global media will cast its glare on Anderson Bridge as Formula 1 racing cars zip through the metallic cage-like bridge in the F1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix 2008. This historic occasion will allow Anderson Bridge to showcase its heritage and architectural glory with millions of TV viewers all over the globe. Sharing the spotlight will be neighbouring landmark tourist sites like the Merlion Park and the Fullerton Hotel.

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