Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge

Summary

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

Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge

Jambatan Angkat Kuala Terengganu
جمبتن اڠكت كوالا ترڠڬانو
Coordinates5°20′23″N 103°08′41″E / 5.33977°N 103.14483°E / 5.33977; 103.14483
CarriesMotor vehicles, pedestrians
CrossesTerengganu River
LocaleKuala Nerus-Kuala Terengganu
Maintained byMalaysian Public Works Department (JKR) Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu
Characteristics
DesignBascule bridge
Total length638 m
Width23 m
Height89.1 m (292 ft)
Longest span--
History
DesignerPJSI Consultants Sdn Bhd
Constructed byZelan Construction Sdn Bhd
Opened1 August 2019
Inaugurated14 September 2022
Location
Overview edit

Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge is a part of the 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. The construction started in August 2014 and was completed in mid-2019. This drawbridge is also a component in the development of Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC).[1][2]

 
Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge seen from Seberang Takir with the Menara MBKT (near completion) in the background

Design edit

 
Cars on the Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge heading towards the city.

Its 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.[2] It connects Muara Selatan (South Bank), a reclaimed area in 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 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 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 built to connect the bridge with Kuala Nerus.[6]

 
A view of Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge from the observatory in one of the towers.

Opening edit

 
The view of the towers of the drawbridge

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 edit

References edit

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

5°20′23″N 103°08′41″E / 5.3398°N 103.1448°E / 5.3398; 103.1448