Helix Bridge

The design consortium is an international team comprising Australian architects the Cox Architecture and engineers Arup, and Singapore based Architects 61.{{cite web |url=http://www.archdaily.com/185400/helix-bridge-cox-architecture-with-architects-61/ |title=Helix Bridge / Cox Architecture with Architects 61 |date=10 January 2012 |access-date=19 August 2016 |work=ArchDaily |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111203320/https://www.archdaily.com/185400/helix-bridge-cox-architecture-with-architects-61 |url-status=live }}

Canopies (made of fritted-glass and perforated steel mesh) are incorporated along parts of the inner spiral to provide shade for pedestrians. The bridge has four viewing platforms sited at strategic locations which provide views of the Singapore skyline and events taking place within Marina Bay.{{Cite web |url=http://www.marina-bay.sg/enews/apr06-'Double-Helix'%20Bridge.htm |title=Marina Bay - Explore Marina Bay |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514021135/http://www.marina-bay.sg/enews/apr06-%27Double-Helix%27%20Bridge.htm |archive-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead }} At night, the bridge will be illuminated by a series of lights that highlight the double-helix structure, thereby creating a special visual experience for the visitors.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/eventful_night_lighting.htm |title=Bayfront Bridge - Event Night Lighting |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301211611/http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/eventful_night_lighting.htm |archive-date=1 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Pairs of coloured letters c and g, as well as a and t on the bridge which are lit up at night in red and green represent cytosine, guanine, adenine and thymine, the four bases of DNA. The intentional left handed DNA-like design, which is the opposite of normal DNA on earth, earned it a place in The Left Handed DNA Hall of Fame in 2010.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fred.net/tds/leftdna/Leftyear2010.html#helixbridge2010sep27 |title=The Left Handed DNA Hall of Fame |access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-date=14 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414215428/http://www.fred.net/tds/leftdna/Leftyear2010.html#helixbridge2010sep27 |url-status=live }}

The Land Transport Authority claimed it is a world first in architectural and engineering bridge design.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/ |title=Bayfront Bridge - Innovative Structure |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301211635/http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/ |url-status=dead }} It won the 'World's Best Transport Building' award at the World Architecture Festival Awards in the same year. It has also been recognised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) at the BCA Design and Engineering Safety Excellence Awards in 2011.

The Helix is fabricated from approximately 650 tonnes of Duplex Stainless Steel and 1000 tonnes of carbon steel used in the temporary structure and also helping the bridge to get the helix shape. The construction began in 2007. It was officially opened on 24 April 2010 but partially accessible. The entire bridge was opened on 18 July 2010{{Cite web |title=Largest double helix bridge |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/113227-largest-double-helix-bridge |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110034502/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/113227-largest-double-helix-bridge |url-status=live }} to complete the entire walkway around Marina Bay.

{{wide image|Helix_Bridge_The_Float_at_Marina_Bay.jpg|700px|The Float@Marina Bay viewed from the Helix Bridge.}}

Before any work began on the bridge, a mock-up was made from carbon steel to try to preempt any construction difficulties. Fabrication of the elements worked from north to south; components were assembled into segments that could manage the Singapore roads. A trial assembly was done before delivery to site to identify any prefabrication errors.The Institution of Engineers, Singapore. (August 2010). The Helx. The Singapore Engineer, pp. 8 - 17.

The duplex stainless steel used is susceptible to contamination by carbon or zinc dust. So a dedicated workshop was specially set up to keep members for the Helix separate from other carbon and nitrogen steels.

A temporary truss bridge was built to support the bridge and provide access. The key issue was in launching the trusses over the central 50m wide navigation channel that had to be kept clear during construction to give safe access to other users of the bay.

The truss was launched in segments in a synchronised lift with two mobile crane units. This was done at night to minimise disturbance caused by closing the channel.

A mobile gantry crane was positioned on the temporary bridge to lift elements into place. Erection started from the North Abutment starting with the horizontal prefabricated segments (av. 11m long). Then the horizontal deck components were bolted on, and then cross members, hoop members, tension rods, and other loose members were installed working upwards from deck level.

The helices and their struts were installed. The individual elements of the helices being welded on the entire span had been erected. These crucial connections were very closely supervised and controlled to ensure the properties of the duplex steel were maintained. Finally a passivation process removed any surface iron compounds which are a potential source of corrosion.

The bridge is featured in the HBO series Westworld, as part of its third season.{{cite web|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a31822923/westworld-season-3-filming-shooting-locations/|title=15 Real-Life Places Behind Westworld Season 3's Futuristic Cities|date=9 May 2020|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=7 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207142109/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a31822923/westworld-season-3-filming-shooting-locations/|url-status=live}}

It is featured in Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as part of the Singapore Speedway course.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

• Architecture of Singapore
• List of bridges in Singapore

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons|The Helix Bridge}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102022817/http://www.singaporevr.com/vrs/HelixBridge/HelixBridge01.html 360° Interactive VR image of the Helix Bridge]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121125024606/http://www.marina-bay.sg/highlights_new_bridge_details.html New Bridge at Marina Bay]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160412230020/https://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline06/skyline06-02/text/pg2.html New landmark bridge for Marina Bay]

{{Bridges of Singapore River}}

{{Major Tourist Attractions in Singapore}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|1|17|15.44|N|103|51|38.15|E|type:landmark|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Helix Bridge}}

Category:Bridges in Singapore

Category:Tourist attractions in Singapore

Category:Downtown Core (Singapore)

Category:Marina Bay, Singapore

Category:2010 establishments in Singapore

Category:Philip Cox buildings

Category:Bridges completed in 2010

Category:Helices