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Sentosa Causeway

The Sentosa Causeway links Sentosa Island with mainland Singapore. Built at a cost of S$117 million, the causeway was officially opened by former Senior Minister of State (Trade and Industry), Lim Boon Heng, on 15 December 1992.

History
In December 1986, the Singapore government announced new developmental plans to improve and upgrade Sentosa Island's attractions. Being an offshore island, Sentosa could be reached only by ferry or cable car. A S$470 million plan was thus proposed to improve the resort island's facilities as well as its accessibility. Studies were conducted to assess the viability of constructing either a causeway or tunnel system to link Sentosa to mainland Singapore. A causeway was finally chosen over tunnel construction as it would cost less to build, at an estimated cost of S$122 million compared to S$355 million estimated for a tunnel.

Following this, the Public Works Department initiated the Keppel-Pulau Brani-Sentosa Road Link Project to link mainland Singapore to the two southern islands, Sentosa and Pulau Brani. The project consisted of two sections. A 330 metre long causeway would be constructed across the Keppel Channel linking Keppel to Pulau Brani. Next, a 380 metre long bridge would stretch across Selat Sengkir Channel from the causeway to Sentosa's ferry terminal. Beginning from the west of Prima Flour Mill, the causeway would cross Pulau Brani's western tip before reaching Sentosa.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 3 November 1990 to mark the official start of the causeway's construction. The Keppel-Brani link was completed about a year later and officially opened on 24 November 1991. It became the second causeway out of Singapore and the first land link to be constructed between Singapore and an offshore island. A year later, on 15 December 1992, the Sentosa Causeway or Keppel-Sentosa bridge link was completed and officially opened by then Senior Minister of State (Trade and Industry), Lim Boon Heng. The total cost of the causeway project was S$117 million. Along with 300 guests, the Senior Minister of State boarded the Singapore Bus Service's inaugural bus service across the causeway before heading to a buffet dinner at the Pioneers of Singapore Surrender Chambers.

Description
The Sentosa Causeway's construction took into account the nature of Sentosa as a resort island. Trees adorn the wide pedestrian walkway-cum-cycling and jogging track. At night, the bridge is lit with decorative lighting, making it pleasant for strolling. Two pairs of towers rise at each end as a grand gateway to Sentosa. To retain Sentosa's tranquil resort atmosphere, there is restricted access to vehicles to the island. To keep traffic on the island to a minimum, only special bus services run by Singapore Bus Service (SBS) and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) are permitted. All private vehicles, tour coaches or chartered buses are permitted to enter up to Sentosa's entry point and designated central carpark area. The new transportation system has helped reduce traveling time to the island and provide better access to the island's attractions.



Author
Nureza Ahmad



References 
Fill-and-sink-method used for Keppel-Brani road link. (1991, April 27). The Straits Times, p. 26.

Lee, H. S. (1989, January 14). Singapore-Sentosa road link by 1992. The Business Times, p. 20.

Mass run to mark opening of Brani link. (1991, November 23). The Straits Times, p. 23.

Sentosa causeway may be restricted to buses. (1988, July 30). The Straits Times.

Sentosa causeway ready by 1992. (1988, March 26). The Straits Times.

Sentosas new link opens with fiery fanfare. (1992, December 16). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Sentosa road link designed to keep islands ambience. (1990, November 4). The Straits Times, p. 21.

Walkway closed for Sentosa link expansion. (1998, February 1). The Straits Times, Home, p. 11. 

The information in this article is valid as at 2004 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Commerce and Industry>>Transportation
Architecture and Landscape>>Architectural Styles
Causeways--Singapore
Science and technology>>Engineering>>Transportation engineering



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