Opened in 1981, the Benjamin Sheares Bridge (Chinese: 薛尔思桥, Pinyin: Xūeěrsī Qíao; Template:Lang-ms) is the longest bridge in Singapore, spanning 1.8 km, and the tallest, at 20 m. It is named after Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares, the 2nd president of the Republic. The bridge was once part of the East Coast Parkway, but it is currently downgraded to an arterial road, Sheares Avenue. The cost of construction was S$177 million.
Built over reclaimed land by construction company Sato Kogyo, the bridge is made of pre-stressed concrete and links East Coast Parkway on the east coast to Marina Bay on the west coast.
Benjamin Sheares Bridge is the setting for the annual Sheares Bridge Run.
It is also pictured on the rear panel of the Ship Series S$50 banknote.
Accident[]
On 8 March 2019, taxi driver under ComfortDelGro, has apologised after being fainted while driving, colliding into a centre driver and causing his passenger to alight in the middle of the expressway.
It appears to leave a dent in the barrier, before swerving into another two lanes. Other road users are seen slowing down or moving out to avoid a taxi.
As it slows down, its left passenger door opens and a man steps out. He closes the door and quickly moves to the side of the road. A silver car drives into the path of the cab, seemingly in an attempt to block it, but the taxi manoeuvers around it and drives off.
The taxi's passenger is soon picked up by another car. On Sunday, ComfortDelGro's group chief corporate communications officer, Ms Tammy Tan, told The Straits Times that the cabby in the video had "blacked out momentarily". When the driver regained consciousness, he realised he had to disembark the taxi.
"He wanted to get off the expressway to seek medical help and continued driving slowly until he was out of the expressway and at the Rochor Road exit gantry," she said.
The driver then proceeded to call for assistance, she said.
He is currently warded at a hospital for observation.
Ms Tan added that Comfort is currently in touch with the passenger who was on board the taxi, and will be sending a hamper and vouchers to him as a gesture of goodwill.
On behalf of the company, she also thanked the driver of the private car that stopped to pick up the stranded passenger.
"We would like to apologise to all affected motorists for this incident," she said. The police report has been lodged and investigating the accident.