Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge Explained

Bridge Name:Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge
Native Name:Jambatan Angkat Kuala Terengganu
جمبتن اڠكت كوالا ترڠڬانو
Locale:Kuala Nerus-Kuala Terengganu
Carries:Motor vehicles, pedestrians
Crosses:Terengganu River
Mainspan:--
Length:638 m
Width:23 m
Inaugurated:14 September 2022
Open:1 August 2019
Maint:Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu
Design:Bascule bridge
Designer:PJSI Consultants Sdn Bhd
Builder:Zelan Construction Sdn Bhd

Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge (Malay: Jambatan Angkat Kuala Terengganu, Jawi: جمبتن اڠكت كوالا ترڠڬانو) is a bascule bridge located in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia, and crosses the mouth of Terengganu River. It is the fourth bridge within the Kuala Terengganu City area that straddles the river after Sultan Mahmud Bridge, Manir Bridge, and Pulau Sekati Bridge.

Overview

Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge is part of the multiple projects for the East Coast Economic Region (ECER). It is the first drawbridge built in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, constructed by Zelan Construction Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM248 million. Construction began on August 2014 and was completed in mid-2019. This drawbridge is also a component in the development of the Kuala Terengganu City Council (KTCC).[1] [2]

Design

The bridge's design was inspired by London Tower Bridge in London. The drawbridge has a 23-metre-wide single-carriageway that spans 638 metres over the mouth of Terengganu River. It connects Muara Selatan (South Bank), a reclaimed area in the Kuala Terengganu city centre, near Tanjung, and Muara Utara (North Bank) in Seberang Takir. It has a 12.5-metre clearance above water when the double-leafed span is closed. The clear span of the drawbridge is 50 metres long.[3]

There are four 15-storey, 89.1 metres high towers, with each set of two towers connected by a skybridge.[4] The towers are also contained with lobbies that allow visitors to go up to the commercial areas located at the sky bridges. At night, the structures are lit up with colourful illuminations.[5] The drawbridge also allows users to cut their travelling time between Sultan Mahmud Airport as well as Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Kuala Terengganu by about 15 minutes. A four-lane coastal road was also built to connect the bridge with Kuala Nerus.[6]

Opening

The bridge was opened for trial from 2 to 17 June, during the Aidilfitri festive season. After a short closing period to allow other tests and improvement work to be carried out, it was fully opened for motor vehicles and pedestrians on 1 August 2019.[7]

See also

References

5.3398°N 103.1448°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Draw bridge' Kuala Terengganu terbaik.... Mohd Aizat. Shamsuddin. May 28, 2019. HM Online.
  2. Web site: Zelan gets RM248.7mil bridge contract. Aug 1, 2014. The Star Online.
  3. Web site: Drawbridge | Zelan Berhad. www.zelan.com.
  4. Web site: Jambatan angkat dibuka semula esok. Mohd Aizat. Shamsuddin. July 31, 2019. Berita Harian.
  5. Web site: Terengganu MB: Iconic drawbridge to be opened tomorrow. Malay Mail. 31 July 2019.
  6. Web site: Terengganu's drawbridge set to be key attraction | New Straits Times. Rosli. Zakaria. May 30, 2019. NST Online.
  7. Web site: Kuala Terengganu drawbridge to be opened for test run from June 2–17. May 20, 2019. The Star Online.