The Helix Bridge is an engineering feat assembled with great precision. Its curved design is created by two opposing spiral steel members, held together by a series of connecting struts, symbolising “life and continuity”, “renewal”, “everlasting abundance” and “growth”, and resembles the structure of DNA. One of the connecting bridges will link the three waterfront gardens at Marina South, Marina East and Marina Centre, to form a continuous public waterfront loop, while also linking the Double Helix Bridge to the Marina Bay Sands®, the Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay.
You can catch a panoramic view of the Singapore skyline and watch events taking place at the Bay from one of its five viewing platforms sited at strategic locations. Fritted-glass and steel glass canopies providing shade and seats are also available at resting points. View paintings and drawings by youths along this crossing, or enhance your bridge crossing experience at night with lights that illuminate the steel structure to create different moods. For a memorable experience, be sure to visit this engineering marvel situated in the heart of the city.
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Linking between Marina Bay and Marina CentreSingapore 038981
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The geometry of a DNA strand was the inspiration for the Helix Bridge in Singapore’s Marina Bay. It is a path surrounded by two stainless steel double-helix structures that face each other.
The 280-meter-long twisting bridge crosses the Singapore River between the city’s central business district and bayfront area. Its curvy deck lets people walk from one side of the river to the other.
The Helix Bridge was meant to be a more delicate and lightweight option to the vehicle bridge that was also part of the project. The plan of the pedestrian bridge is bent to keep people on foot away from cars and to let people walk from one bridge to another in the middle.
The bridge leads to places like the Marina Bay Sands complex and the National Performing Arts Centre. On the four platforms that stick out from the bridge, you can also get a great view of other sites and the bay.
At night, ribbons of LED lights light up the bridge, making the two twisting helical tubes stand out. The hot sun can be blocked by canopies made of fritted glass and perforated steel mesh.
The bridge is 285 meters long. It has three spans that are 65 meters long and two end spans that are 45 meters long.
The Singapore Urban Development Authority made the bridge out of duplex stainless steel so that they could save money on materials. This choice made sure that the members were made with tubes that were only 273mm in diameter.
The double circle of the bridge’s design is a nice contrast to the big buildings on either side of the Marina Bay Shoreline. The bridge is both a way to get across and a place to relax. Many locals and tourists come to walk across and enjoy the Helix Bridge.
Read more: Places to Visit in Singapore: Kranji War Memorial
Lighting design
The DNA-inspired design was brought out by a number of dynamic, multicolored LED lights that were put on the helix structures by Arup’s lighting designers.
The lights that face outward emphasize the building’s sweeping curves, and a separate set of lights light up the glass and steel mesh inside the roof to make a dynamic light membrane. The white light from the inner helix lights a way for people to walk on.
Four “pods” that look out over the water give people a 360-degree view of the city skyline. There are glass holes in the floor that lead to the water below.
The 280-meter-long bridge is the world’s first curved double-helix bridge. It connects Marina Center, the waterfront area, and the Marina Bay Sands® integrated resort in a straight line for walkers.
A brief history and explanation
In March 2006, plans for the bridge were made public. It was supposed to connect a “necklace” of sites around Marina Bay, including the new Youth Olympic Park, which was to be built at the same time. Singapore put out a request for proposals for a group of architects from around the world to design the bridge. Thirty-six companies put in bids, and out of those, Architects61 from Singapore, Cox Group from Australia, and Arup Pte Ltd from Australia were chosen to work together on the project. This team first thought about making the bridge look like a fishnet to show that Singapore used to be a fishing town, but they decided against it in favor of a double helix structure. This link to the structure of DNA was meant to represent “life and continuity, renewal and growth.”
The 280-meter-long Helix Bridge is made of a special type of stainless steel called duplex stainless steel, which gives it a strong structure and makes it easier to maintain. It can help as many as 16,000 people at once. Boats can pass through Marina Bay and Marina Channel as long as they are not higher than 8.8 m above the water. The bridge has a major helix and a minor helix. It is about three stories tall, and the steel tubes that make up the double helix are about 2,250 meters long.
The Helix is the first building in the world with a double helix shape, and it is expected to cost about S$68 million.11 The design was good because it used less steel than box girders or cable bridges. This cut the cost of building by millions of dollars. In 2007, construction began.
The Benjamin Sheares Bridge is close to the Helix Bridge. Attractions like the Singapore Flyer and the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay are on one side of the bridge. The Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum are on the other side of the bridge.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) asked people what they thought the bridge should be called between November and December 2008. The URA suggested the names “The DNA Bridge” and “The Double Helix,” but “The Helix” was picked in the end.
Opening: The Helix Bridge was publicly opened on April 24, 2010, and it was fully functional by July of that same year.16: URA asked people to take shots of the bridge and post them on the Marina Bay Facebook page as a way to take part in the opening. Then, these pictures were used to make a three-dimensional image of the bridge. This was one of a number of events called Marina Bay Invitations that were held in 2010 to celebrate the opening of many new sites in the Marina Bay area.
Read more: Attractions in Singapore: Statues of Sir Stamford Raffles
Uses
Helix Bridge is both useful and nice to look at. It lets people walk quickly to Marina Bay Sands from the Esplanade and the area around City Hall. At the same time, you can get great views of the city skyline as you walk along the bridge. Five viewing pods were built to hang off the bridge for this reason. During special events like the National Day parties, fireworks and other pyrotechnics can be seen well from the bridge.
The bridge also serves as an open gallery where young artists from the area show their work. Before the bridge opened, there was an art contest where kids could show how their drawings could be used on the bridge.They chose eight winners and put them in touch with local artists to help them make designs to put on show.
Top 10 Things to Do Near the Helix Bridge
Around the Helix Bridge in Singapore, there are many things to do. People from Singapore and all over the world have been coming to see this man-made visitor attraction:
1. The Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay, which is close to the Helix Bridge, is a famous place for tourists to visit. The garden is a wildlife park on 101 hectares of land that was once a swamp. This garden is next to the Marina Reservoir and has three lakeside gardens: the Bay South Garden, the Bay East Garden, and the Bay Central Garden. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and eat food from the area.
2. Supertree Grove
Supertree Grove is an exclusive vertical park in Gardens by the Bay. It has tall trees with big canopies. They grow at night when there are lots of lights and sounds. The Supertree Grove, which is possibly between 25 and 50 meters tall, is made to amaze people who come to see it.
3. Cloud Forest
Cloud Forest is a tropical highland in Singapore that looks like a strange world covered in fog. It has both a tall waterfall in the soaring and a very modern greenhouse. Here, people can learn about rare plants and animals. They can also enjoy the surroundings of clouds, which change quickly. It is the best place in Singapore to see the amazing natural beauty of the area. If you want to get the most out of your trip, plan it with your family or coworkers.
4. OCBC Skyway
When you go to Singapore to see the Helix Bridge, you should put OCBC Skyway on your list of things to do. The two Supertree Grove Towers are also linked by the OCBC Skyway. This 128-meter-long aerial walkway gives guests a great chance to take photos while getting a wide view of the plants around them.
5. ArtSpace Museum
The ArtSpace Museum, which is in the Prestige Istana Park, changes the way people think about art and how they live. As the best art club for everyone, anyone from anywhere can come here to learn, enjoy, and understand art. It’s easy to get to because it’s only a 5-minute walk from the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. It gives art lovers the chance to explore, learn, and have fun with personalized painting and drawing classes that can be done at their own pace.
6. Marina Bay Sands Skypark
If you want to see Singapore from above, the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is your best bet. This place of interest is right in the middle of town. It gives you a view in every direction. If you want to go to this place, make sure you book your tickets early so you don’t have to deal with problems at the last minute.
7. Marina Barrage
The Marina Barrage should be on your list of things to do in Singapore as you check out the sights near the Helix Bridge. Built where the five rivers meet, the barrier stores water, keeps floods from happening, and gives everyone a place to play. The first Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, had the idea for this 15th pond in Singapore.
8. Marina Bay
Marina Bay used to be a calm body of water, but it has changed a lot and is now one of the most expensive places to visit in the country. In addition, some of Singapore’s most famous hotels, skyscrapers, restaurants, and other sights are in this bay. You can also stay at hotels, eat at restaurants, and shop at nearby stores. People who like to go to discos also like this place because it has a lot to do at night.
9. The Flower Dome
Flower Dome is a huge glass greenhouse with air conditioning that is on the Helix Bridge in Singapore. It has themed gardens with a lot of exotic plants that will truly hook you. If you like rare plants and animals, you should think about going to Singapore’s Flower Dome. In the Mediterranean and semi-arid areas, the different types of flowers, plants, and trees often surprise people who come to see them.
10. Singapore Flyer
Singapore Flyer could be the best way to get to a big Ferris wheel if you want to see one in Singapore. It took about 2.5 years to finish building this place, which opened in 2008. This Flyer is one of the biggest Giant Observation Wheels in the world, and people come from all over the world to see it. The flyer is also one of the most popular places to visit in Asia.
How to Get to Singapore’s Helix Bridge
The Helix Bridge in Singapore is a bridge for people to walk on. It was opened for business on April 24, 2010. This bridge connects Marina Center to Marina South in the Marina Bay. It is a beautiful example of Singapore’s natural beauty. You can take a bus, a car, or a train to get to the Helix Bridge. From the bus stop, it takes 4 minutes to walk to the location. The Promenade MRT station is the closest train station. The bridge is a seven-minute walk away.
You won’t get the most out of your trip to Singapore if you don’t check out the Helix Bridge and other places close. There are a lot of things to do on and around the Helix Bridge. You should choose your trip based on what we tell you and what we offer. We promise you will not be let down.
