MacRitchie Viaduct
Encyclopedia
MacRitchie Viaduct is a viaduct
in Thomson, Singapore
that was built on top of Lornie Road and Thomson Road
, with its extension also above Braddell Road. The viaduct is built to allow residents living in the Eastern
, Central
and Western
part of Singapore
a high-speed access between the east and the west for the residents who wants to travel from the east to the west or vice versa. The extension of the viaduct was opened on 24 August 2008, and is the first flyover
to be constructed over an existing flyover, the Marymount Flyover.
, the Land Transport Authority
(LTA) plans to widen the existing viaduct and construct a pair of dual two-lane vehicular viaducts from Braddell Road to join the existing MacRitchie Viaduct. When completed, it will allow motorists travelling along Braddell Road to bypass the traffic light junctions
at Braddell Road, Thomson Road and Lornie Road.
Sago Kogyo was awarded the civil works contract by the LTA for the construction of this extension project. Worth about S$34.4 million, the contract covers the extension project; includes widening of the existing viaduct and construction of the extension of the viaduct from Braddell Road to the widened MacRitchie Viaduct. The contract also includes the widening of existing at-grade roads: Lornie Road, Braddell Road and Thomson Road.
There will also be four new bus shelters and one new pedestrian overhead bridge with covered walkways to the nearest bus shelter.
In conjunction with the Outer Ring Road System
, the extension of the MacRitchie Viaduct will eventually allow motorists travelling from Queensway to Bartley Road to bypass the city area.
to minimise the need to remove trees around and in the construction site. Efforts have been made to avoid affecting the trees in the vicinity. However, some of them will be affected.
To facilitate the construction of the viaducts, there will be temporary traffic diversion along Braddell Road and a short stretch of Thomson Road. Certain works, such as beams launching, have to be carried out at night for safety reasons. There will be temporary road closures to carry out such work.
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
in Thomson, Singapore
Thomson, Singapore
Thomson is a relatively narrow area stretching from Novena in the Central Region of Singapore up north till Yishun. The area is mainly located within the central catchment area where some of Singapore's reservoirs are located, including MacRitchie Reservoir, Upper Peirce Reservoir and Lower Peirce...
that was built on top of Lornie Road and Thomson Road
Thomson Road
Thomson Road can refer to either:*Thomson Road, Singapore*Thomson Road, Hong Kong...
, with its extension also above Braddell Road. The viaduct is built to allow residents living in the Eastern
East Region, Singapore
The East Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. It includes six urban planning areas. As its name implies, it is the easternmost region of Singapore.The land area is about 11,000 hectares.-Urban planning areas in East Region:...
, Central
Central Region, Singapore
The Central Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. Comprising 13,150 hectares of land area, it includes 11 Planning Areas within the Central Area which is the immediate vicinity of the Singapore's central business district, as well as another 11 more outside it.Although...
and Western
West Region, Singapore
The West Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. Comprising 25,500 hectares of land area, it is the largest of all regions, it includes twelve urban planning areas and has at least a population of over 1 million. As its name implies, it is the westernmost region of Singapore...
part of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
a high-speed access between the east and the west for the residents who wants to travel from the east to the west or vice versa. The extension of the viaduct was opened on 24 August 2008, and is the first flyover
Overpass
An overpass is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway...
to be constructed over an existing flyover, the Marymount Flyover.
Extension project
As part of the Outer Ring Road SystemOuter Ring Road System
The Outer Ring Road System, or more commonly known as ORRS, is a network of major arterial roads in Singapore that forms a 'ring' along the towns outside the city. The ORRS is a semi-expressway, just like the West Coast Highway. Since 1994, roads along the ORRS have been upgraded in stages to...
, the Land Transport Authority
Land Transport Authority
The Land Transport Authority is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of the Singapore Government.-History:...
(LTA) plans to widen the existing viaduct and construct a pair of dual two-lane vehicular viaducts from Braddell Road to join the existing MacRitchie Viaduct. When completed, it will allow motorists travelling along Braddell Road to bypass the traffic light junctions
Junction (road)
A road junction is a location where vehicular traffic going in different directions can proceed in a controlled manner designed to minimize accidents. In some cases, vehicles can change between different routes or directions of travel.-Origins:...
at Braddell Road, Thomson Road and Lornie Road.
Sago Kogyo was awarded the civil works contract by the LTA for the construction of this extension project. Worth about S$34.4 million, the contract covers the extension project; includes widening of the existing viaduct and construction of the extension of the viaduct from Braddell Road to the widened MacRitchie Viaduct. The contract also includes the widening of existing at-grade roads: Lornie Road, Braddell Road and Thomson Road.
There will also be four new bus shelters and one new pedestrian overhead bridge with covered walkways to the nearest bus shelter.
Benefits
Once the extension project is completed, the viaduct will provide a direct link between Lornie Road and Braddell Road, from the current direct link between Thomson Road and Lornie Road. It will also reduce waiting time as the vehicle can now bypass the traffic junctions along the at-grade roads. The extension project will also increase the traffic capacity in the area.In conjunction with the Outer Ring Road System
Outer Ring Road System
The Outer Ring Road System, or more commonly known as ORRS, is a network of major arterial roads in Singapore that forms a 'ring' along the towns outside the city. The ORRS is a semi-expressway, just like the West Coast Highway. Since 1994, roads along the ORRS have been upgraded in stages to...
, the extension of the MacRitchie Viaduct will eventually allow motorists travelling from Queensway to Bartley Road to bypass the city area.
Conservation of trees
The Land Transport Authority will work closely together with the National Parks BoardNational Parks Board
The National Parks Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government.The National Parks Board is responsible for providing and enhancing the greenery of Singapore. NParks manages around 300 parks, the park connector network and the roadside greenery in Singapore...
to minimise the need to remove trees around and in the construction site. Efforts have been made to avoid affecting the trees in the vicinity. However, some of them will be affected.
Minimising impact on community
As there will be an increase in noise and air pollution in the vicinity of the construction site, the Land Transport Authority will work closely together with the contractors to take the necessary measures to minimise any disruption.To facilitate the construction of the viaducts, there will be temporary traffic diversion along Braddell Road and a short stretch of Thomson Road. Certain works, such as beams launching, have to be carried out at night for safety reasons. There will be temporary road closures to carry out such work.