United Engineering unveils 'orchardgateway' overhead bridge project

It can support up to 900 people.

According to a release, United Engineers Limited, developer and project manager of the orchardgateway project, through its subsidiaries, has successfully launched the orchardgateway overhead bridge.

The iconic glass bridge, designed by Tange Associates, spans 53 metres across Orchard road. Weighing approximately 100 tonnes, the bridge can support about 900 people at any one time.

The unique architecture of the bridge – a steel frame cladded in glass all round, straddling Orchard road, will dramatically change the landscape, adding a new buzz to the vicinity.

“We are very proud to be part of this historic moment, launching the first bridge across Orchard road. The team has successfully achieved this milestone, overcoming many engineering challenges and numerous site-related constraints, including restricted space imposed by the neighbouring commercial buildings flanking the bridge on both sides of Orchard road, further complicated by the bustling vehicular and pedestrian traffic along Orchard road and other considerations relating to the underground basement which connects to the Somerset MRT station. This is further testament to our strong engineering capabilities and proven track record of
executing challenging engineering projects,” said Mr Jackson Yap, the Group’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The 277 Orchard Road site (the former Specialists’ Centre / Hotel Phoenix site), which will be developed into a 21-storey building with two basement floors, will comprise a 500-room hotel, approximately 20,800 sq m of retail space and a multi-storey carpark.

The 218 Orchard Road site (the former Orchard Emerald site) will be developed into an 11-storey building comprising about 3,500 sq m of office space and 2,700 sq m of retail space. The glass overhead bridge will link the two developments together.