Friday, January 25, 2008

Work On New Sentosa Bridge Begins

Source : The Strait Times, Jan 25, 2008

WORK started yesterday on a new bridge linking Sentosa to the mainland.
Developer of the island's casino resort, Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) said that the new vehicular bridge will ease traffic for the anticipated 15 million visitors expected at the resort when it opens in early 2010.

The three-lane 710m bridge will be built parallel to the current Sentosa bridge, which currently has four lanes. When completed, the two bridges will be merged. Lanes and traffic directions are being finalised.

RWS awarded the bridge building contract, worth more than $80 million, to McConnell Dowell, an Australian-based engineering and construction company.

The work involves widening lanes at the Harbourfront end of the current Causeway, and the construction of the parallel new bridge from Sentosa.

McConnell Dowell's project director, Mr David Christodoulou said: 'The marrying of the structures into one cohesive roadway is the precise reason why this project is so exciting.'

To help alleviate congestion near the Telok Blangah junction, the existing admission booths will be relocated within the island along Gateway Avenue by Sentosa Leisure Group.

By April, Gateway Avenue will be diverted to make way for the development of RWS. From the vehicular bridge, drivers will then coast along Gateway Avenue, before the road fans out into seven lanes to expedite island admission.

Sentosa Leisure Group's Executive Director for Special Projects, Planning & Development, Low Tien Sio, added: 'Set to take on up to four times more traffic when it opens, the new vehicular bridge will not only facilitate travel to RWS, but also drive traffic smoothly to Sentosa's popular destinations and give our Cove residents a welcome ride home.'

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