Singapore's Kallang River-Bishan Park project commencement a success

Oct. 28, 2009
DENVER, CO, Oct. 28, 2009 -- CH2M HILL, along with partners, officials, dignitaries from Singapore's national water agency, and members of the local grassroots community, celebrated the official commencement of the Kallang River-Bishan Park project, a part of the Active, Beautiful and Clean (ABC) Waters Program...

• Beauty and function intersect through Singapore's ABC (Active, Beautiful, Clean) Waters Program

DENVER, CO, Oct. 28, 2009 -- CH2M HILL, a global full-service engineering, procurement, construction, and operations firm, is pleased to announce that in early October the Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, along with several other dignitaries and CEOs from PUB, the national water agency, and National Parks Board joined CH2M HILL, its partner Atelier Dreiseitl, and the local grassroots community to celebrate the official commencement of the Kallang River-Bishan Park project, a part of the Active, Beautiful and Clean (ABC) Waters Program.

The ABC Waters Program initiated in 2006 will transform Singapore's extensive network of drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful streams, rivers and lakes for people to enjoy and get close to water. The goal is to create a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable waterbodies and provide the community with beautiful spaces to use and enjoy.

The Kallang River-Bishan Park project will transform 3 kilometers of Singapore's longest river from a concrete canal into a natural river with bioengineered slopes and landscaped banks. The area features integration with a popular existing park, rivulets for people to play in, new footbridges, new playgrounds, water cascades and a river promenade for entertainment, street bazaars, and more. One of the existing ponds will also be converted into a biotope, which will help to improve the water quality in the recreational ponds. The commencement was held at a test reach of the future river, which was created several months ago to analyse the bioengineering techniques. The Kallang River-Bishan Park project is expected to be completed in 2011. Under Phase 1 of the ABC Waters Program, over 20 projects will be initiated by 2011. Downstream of the Kallang River, another ABC Waters project, the Marina Barrage, which opened last year, has already attracted more than half a million visitors. The ABC Waters Program will ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for Singapore.

CH2M HILL partnered with Atelier Dreiseitl and worked with associate firms DesignInc and Phrase Communications to create an integrated approach to waterway management for the ABC Waters Program in the Central Catchment that incorporates engineering, science, landscape design, the behavioral framework of urban design, and a commitment to community involvement. The program ensures a sustainable future for Singapore by increasing understanding of the vital role waterways play in daily life, increasing native vegetation and fauna, improving the stormwater system, and greening the city to improve the environment. Sustainability is the unifying theme for all of the water fronts, not just in the design of the waterways, walkways, and open space activity areas, but also in the buildings adjacent, to bring people into the beautiful new areas and to create a culture of water appreciation. New housing developments will integrate seamlessly with adjacent waterways to create a beautiful and relaxing waterfront living environment.

"CH2M HILL has been helping Singaporeans improve their quality of living over the past fifteen years through its engagement with PUB's ground-breaking infrastructure projects," says John Quarendon, CH2M HILL Asia Regional Managing Director. "We began by delivering the vital infrastructure of the massive S$3.65 billion Deep Tunnel Sewerage System, a superhighway for used water collection, and the Changi Water Reclamation Plant, which was commissioned in June 2009, to support the 4.8 million and growing population into the next century. The development of a NEWater demonstration facility followed by four other NEWater Plants® to utilize reclaimed water has also helped the island-nation close the water gap. Through these landmark projects in combination with the ABC Waters Program, CH2M HILL and partners have been able to help Singapore meet its goals of cleaner waters around the island, a healthier environment for its citizens, and has enhanced the country's reputation as a global water high-tech centre."

About CH2M HILL
Headquartered near Denver, Colo, employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, management and operations for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. With $6.4 billion in revenue and more than 25,000 employees, CH2M HILL is an industry-leading program management, construction management and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record (2009). The firm's work is concentrated in the areas of energy, water, transportation, environmental, nuclear and industrial facilities. The firm has long been recognized as a most-admired company and leading employer, including being named by FORTUNE as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For (2009). Visit www.ch2mhill.com.

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