In 3 December 2009, the 5 Bridges (Cavenagh, Elgin, Read, Ord and Coleman) were to be conserved as Heritage sites.
 |
| Location of All Five Bridges |
But why are these 5 bridges made into a heritage site. Why are these bridges landmarks? Is it just to link the lands together or for the vehicles to pass through? You are wrong! Bridges are used for trades when Singapore was a new trading port.
Bridges are considered places worth preserving as a heritage site as they reflect the prosperity Singapore achieved as a British crown colony. Let us find out more about the bridges and their significance to Singapore.
CAVENAGH BRIDGE
 |
| Our Group @ Cavenagh Bridge |
Cavenagh Bridge opened in 1870 was built to commemorate Singapore’s entry into the Straits settlements. It was named after Sir Orfeur Cavenagh. It is built between the Civic District with the courts and the government offices, to the commercial centre of the southern side. However, the bridge was not high enough for boats to pass under it during high tide. Hence, bumboats would wait on both sides of the bridge until the water goes down in order to get past. The tracks of the bridge was used by rickshaws and oxcarts but due to the increased number of trades, the bridge were unable to withstand the volume of vehicular traffic crossing it. In the end, the bridge became a pedestrain bridge which we still use today.
It has to be noted that this bridge was the last major work built by the indian convicts. People in modern Singapore view Cavenagh Bridge as a bridge that shortens their walking distance. However, not many people know that this bridge is the first and only suspension bridge. Also, it is the oldest, and most original bridge in Singapore. This is the bridge that was built to facilitate trades around the area. Cavenagh bridge allowed vehicles (e.g. rickshaws and oxcarts) to pass through. Though it has a flaw in the height of the bridge, it still allowed boats to pass by for trade to commence. Thus, the Cavenagh Bridge is deemed as a heritage site as it is the first bridge built to aid trading activities in Singapore in the 1870s and beyond.
ELGIN BRIDGE
 |
| Our Group @ Elgin Bridge |
The current Elgin Bridge, named after Lord Elgin, that we see today is actually the fifth bridge and second Elgin Bridge built on the site. The first bridge was built in 1819 and it was the first ever Singapore bridge erected. After a series of demolition and rebuilding, the current Elgin Bridge was opened on 30 May 1929. The Elgin Bridge is the first bridge that links both banks of the Singapore River. It also helped linked the Chinese community on the south bank to the indian community on the north.
Elgin Bridge is believed to be the location of an unnamed bridge existing since 1819, which is also the year Sir Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore. The importance of this bridge is its providence of a linkage between Singapore River's northern and southern banks. Prior to the opening of Cavenagh Bridge, people had to choose between payig one cent for a boat ride or walking through the land Elgin Bridge is on to travel between the northern and southern banks. With the construction of the Elgin Bridge, the chinese and indian communities were able to pass through the Elgin Bridge thus helped linked the different communities of Singapore.
ORD BRIDGE
 |
| Our Group @ Ord Bridge |
The Ord Bridge, named after Colonel Sir Harry St. George Ord, was constructed in 1886. The Ord Bridge we see today is different from the original Ord Bridge. Ord Bridge is not a footbridge in the past, Ord Road used to run on it.
To understand why Ord Bridge is a heritage site, we can simply look at why Ord Bridge have alternate names such as Ordnance Bridge and Toddy Bridge. Ord Bridge was also known as Ordnance bridge is because Ord Bridge connected River Valley Road with Magazine Road, where the British Army set up their ammunition and weapons stores in the early days of Singapore as a British settlement. While Ord Bridge is also known as Toddy Bridge because there were many Toddy(coconut wine) shops around. Tan Wee Him who remembers the days where Toddy shops existed, mentioned that people often visited these shops as it costs 20 cent then and they drink till the point that they are drunk and some would simply loiter there. So as we can see, the importance of Ord Bridge lies in the ammunition ground for the British and also the Toddy business around the area.
READ BRIDGE
 |
| Our Group @ Read Bridge |
Read Bridge was opened in 1889, named after William Henry Macleod Read, to replace Merchant Bridge. This was largely because Merchant Bridge was unable to handle the growing traffic or overcome the problem arising due to the insufficient height needed to allow river boats from going under it safely during high tide. Back then, the Teochew District resides around Read Bridge.
Read Bridge played a prominent role in the success of Singapore river trade. People who resided around Read Bridge were mainly coolies, boatmen and lightermen. These people supported the river trade and contributed to the success of trades happening at Singapore River.
COLEMAN BRIDGE
 |
| Our Group @ Coleman Bridge |
Coleman bridge was designed by and named after George Drumgoole Coleman. Its main purpose was to cater to the traffic. However, due to increased in volume of traffic, the Coleman Bridge has been replaced four times.
Similar to Read Bridge, Coleman Bridge were mainly congregated by the Hokkien community. The hokkien community supported the Singapore river trade. Beyond this, people in the past would flock near Coleman Bridge or Read Bridge to listen to storytellers talk to get information as they were illiterate.
“(The) Bridges are a link to our past, both physical and metaphorical. As with all built heritage, they help strengthen our sense of history and help us to understand better the role early infrastructure played in shaping our cities.” The talk by Mr. Lim Huck Chin summarizes why the 5 bridges are of such high importance to the history of Singapore.
The heritage sites in Singapore have been around for a long time but not many people understand the history behind these sites. Will people see the bridges as mere platforms for pedestrians to walk on? Hopefully, after understanding the history behind it, you will stop to look at these bridges! Admire them as a heritage structure that aided Singapore in its progress towards prosperity!
