New Marina Bay Pedestrian & Cycling Bridge Slated for 2029 Completion
A new pedestrian and cycling bridge connecting Marina Centre to Gardens by the Bay’s Bay East Garden is set to begin construction in the first quarter of 2026, with an anticipated completion date of 2029. The project, unveiled as part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 on June 25, aims to enhance connectivity and accessibility within Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay area.
Enhancing Connectivity and Waterfront Aesthetics
The URA issued a pre-qualification tender on July 17 for the design and construction of the bridge, emphasizing the need for a structure that is “simple, elegant and timeless,” possessing “outstanding architectural merit.” The bridge will run parallel to a section of the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, linking Marina Centre to Tanjong Rhu, and will cater to pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals with disabilities.
According to tender documents published on the government procurement portal GeBiz, the new bridge is envisioned as a key facilitator for movement towards the future Founders’ Memorial, located in Bay East Garden. Beyond individual use, the structure is also designed to accommodate large-scale events, including marathons, jogathons, and walkathons. “The bridge should also cater for mass events,” a URA statement confirmed.
Design Considerations and Integration with Existing Infrastructure
The design requirements stipulate the ability to integrate people mover systems, such as buggies, to provide convenient transportation between Bay East Garden and the future Bay Central Garden at Marina Centre. While development plans for Bay Central Garden were reported as not immediately planned in 2022, featuring a planned 3km waterfront promenade, the bridge’s design anticipates its future integration.
Positioned prominently within the Marina Channel, the URA anticipates the bridge will become a distinctive feature of the waterfront, offering exceptional visibility from vantage points along the Marina Centre promenade and within Gardens by the Bay. The authority stressed the importance of “exceptional design excellence,” ensuring the new bridge complements existing structures like the Jubilee Bridge, the Helix, and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge.
Specifically, the URA requests a design that makes a “meaningful visual statement” while harmonizing with the aesthetic of the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. The bridge deck is to have a “lightweight appearance,” creating the illusion of floating above the water.
Navigating Construction and Stakeholder Coordination
Construction will require careful coordination to minimize disruption. The successful tenderer will be obligated to maintain clear routes for water-going vessels within the Marina Channel and ensure continuous public access via alternative routes at Bay East Garden and Marina Centre. Currently, access between Marina Centre and Bay East Garden requires a lengthy journey via the Marina Barrage Dam – potentially taking over an hour on foot or 20 minutes by bicycle – or utilizing the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, which involves navigating multiple staircases.
The tender documents outline several periods where construction must cease to accommodate major events. These include the Asia Pacific Sprint Cup (April/May 2027), the Asian Dragon Boat Championships (October 2028), trial games for the 2029 SEA Games (second half of 2028), and the SEA Games themselves (estimated June 2029), as per Sport Singapore. The Singapore Tourism Board has also requested a halt to structural work eight weeks before and during the annual Formula One race periods.
A diverse range of stakeholders are involved in the project, including the National Parks Board, providing landscaping recommendations, and PUB, the national water agency, overseeing pollution control. The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), currently constructing NS Square at the former The Float @ Marina Bay site, will share a slipway along Republic Avenue with the appointed contractor. The tender also specifies the engagement of specialized consultants, including a lighting specialist, a certified arborist and horticulturist, and a landscape specialist.
The deadline for the design and construction tender is 4pm on August 7. This ambitious project underscores Singapore’s commitment to urban planning and creating a world-class, accessible waterfront experience for residents and visitors alike.
