New Connectors To Link Southern Ridges To Waterfront

Source : The Straits Times, May 14, 2008

A SERIES of connections will provide a seamless link at the Southern Ridges from Alexandra Road to the waterfront at Bukit Chermin, the Urban Redevelopment Authority announced on Wednesday.

Along the way, visitors can take in the greenery and rustic charm of the mangrove areas of Berlayer Creek, and the waterfront views at Bukit Chermin.

The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk was first announced last Saturday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the official opening of the two pedestrian bridges - Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch - at the Southern Ridges.

URA said the plan is in line with its efforts to further enhance the attractiveness of Singapore's Southern Ridges and southern waterfront as yet another leisure and recreation destination for Singaporeans and visitors.

The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk will offer three distinctive experiences:

# Alexandra Road Garden Trail
# Berlayer Creek Mangrove Trail; and
# Bukit Chermin Harbour View Walk

'When completed, the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk will not only open up stretches of inaccessible coastline for the public's enjoyment, but also link up the attractions in the Southern Ridges and the southern waterfront to form a comprehensive recreational corridor,' said the URA.

'The project will allow visitors seamless connectivity while enjoying a variety of recreational activities.'

Visitors can enjoy scenic hilltop and nature walks across Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill and Kent Ridge Park, wine and dine at the food and beverage outlets at Gillman Village, explore the Berlayer mangrove creek, and take in the views of the Keppel Bay enroute to Harbourfront.

Said Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, Chief Executive Officer of URA: 'The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk, when completed, will allow us to better appreciate some of the very special places on our island that were previously not accessible.

'Together with the earlier completed links at Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch at the Southern Ridges, this new project will further realise our plans to create a memorable experience for Singaporeans and visitors in this part of Singapore.'

Construction for the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk is scheduled to start in 2009 and it is expected to be completed in 2011.

The 830 metre Alexandra Road Garden Trail will stretch along the eastern bank of Alexandra Road between Depot Road and Telok Blangah Road.

It will be well connected to the Southern Ridges recreational corridor and the HortPark. The nearby Gillman Village and the recently completed Alexandra Arch will also act as attractions for the users of the park connector.

In line with the Garden Trail concept, footpaths and cycle paths will meander around the matured roadside trees along Alexandra Road, and special landscaping such as flowering shrubs will add interest to the walk. There will also be rest points and information centres along the trail.

The second segment of the project is the 960 metre Berlayer Creek Mangrove Trail. Berlayer Creek is one of the few mangrove areas located in the southern part of Singapore and in close proximity to the city area.

The proposed mangrove trail will offer urbanites a quiet nature retreat from the busy city life and the opportunity to enjoy the natural charm of the mangrove.

The Bukit Chermin trail will culminate at the 330 metre Bukit Chermin Harbour View Walk proposed at the mouth of Berlayer Creek.

This elevated boardwalk on sea will skirt around the foothill of Bukit Chermin, and connect to the future promenade of the Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium eastwards and Labrador Park westwards. Rest points along the boardwalk will allow visitors to soak in the beautiful southern waterfront views of Keppel Harbour and Sentosa.


A New Playground in the South

The Southern Ridges, Labrador area and Keppel waterfront will collectively form a major recreational and leisure destination at the southern part of Singapore.

Two attractive linkages at the Southern Ridges - Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch and their connecting elevated walkway - are now open to the public.

Visitors can take a seamless stroll from HarbourFront MRT station all the way to Kent Ridge Park through a series of other interesting trails.

Mount Faber, a key node within the Southern Ridges, has also been revamped to cater for better facilities such as restaurants and eateries while developments along the Keppel waterfront such as St James Power Station, VivoCity and Harbourfront Centre have anchored the waterfront as a leisure and vibrant commercial centre.