Photomontage of Option 6 (Bay View from Tseung Kwan O Town Centre South)


Photomontage of Option 6 (Night View from Tseung Kwan O Town Centre South)

Photomontage of Option 6 (Dusk View from Tiu Keng Leng towards East)

Photomontage of Option 6 (View Looking East on the Road Carriage)

Option 6 - The Gateway

The single arch of The Gateway crosses the eastbound carriageway diagonally, thus creating a grand gateway to Junk Bay and Tseung Kwan O for both road users and boats entering the bay. The mountain shaped profile of the arch reinforces this sturdy gateway image and gives the bridge the sense that it is a harmonious continuation of the surrounding hillside. In addition, the split-box arch structure creates an interesting effect of light and shade.

The diagonal arch has a hill-like shape, which is in keeping with the mountainous landscape that surrounds Junk Bay. This ensures that the sweeping curve of the arch profile is not out of place with this natural setting. The wide broad legs of the arch gives a true sense of stability, which is what one would expect from a gateway or door. The diagonal twist of the arch as it straddles the carriageway has the unique effect of allowing ships and bridge users to feel like they are passing through an entrance into a place beyond. The arch section will vary from a single box to two split boxes at the third point, which softens the sizes of the arch and introduces an interesting interplay of light and shadow through its structure. The bridge has something new to offer from varying angles of observation and the effect of the cables gives geodesic patterns to amuse the viewer. This option was developed from one of the winning entries in the Design Ideas Invitation Event. Alterations to the bridge form were made to overcome engineering challenges which simplify and further enhance its appearance. A key feature is the carefully sculptured piers to ease the flow of the arch into the water and to ensure the arch has a feeling of stability.

Like all great gateways, the arch is an impressive feature, topping out at about 110m above sea level. This size is also required to ensure that the arch passes over the highway with sufficient clearance to allow vehicles to pass underneath the structure. A 200m main span was chosen to ensure the safe two-way passage of ships underneath the bridge. The 40.7m-wide deck has a two-lane highway carriageway, a 4m wide cycleway and a 3.5m wide footway. The eastern base of the arch will be positioned between the west and east bound highway carriageways while the western base of the arch will be positioned between the east bound highway and the cycleway, thus creating the interesting diagonal gateway effect.

Arches have been in existence for centuries because they use the natural strength of materials in compression - in the case of this bridge, steel, but previously stone and bricks were used. A lightweight steel deck has been adopted to minimise the overall effects of compression in this arch. The compression in the arch creates a thrust at its base, which in this case, is tied back through the deck.

The landmark shape of The Gateway arch creates a fitting entrance to Junk Bay.

* Remark: In the Chinese theme, the Gateway also resembles a fish jumping out of water.

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