Merdeka Bridge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Merdeka Bridge (Chinese: 独立桥, Malay: Jambatan Merdeka, Singapura) is a vehicular and pedestrian bridge located in Kallang in the south-eastern part of Singapore. It spans over the river mouths of the Kallang River and Rochor River, which empty into the Kallang Basin. The bridge was completed in 1956, and was designed by the Public Works Department.

[edit] Etymology

The name Merdeka means "independence" in Malay, and the bridge marked Singapore's freedom and independence when it was given internal self-government from the British in 1955.

[edit] History

When the Merdeka Bridge was built, it formed the vital link between the city centre and the rapidly growing east coast. Its role is now taken over by the Benjamin Sheares Bridge on the East Coast Parkway.

Visually, the bridge's only attributes were the two stone lions guarding its entrances. These Merdeka lions have since been removed, first to Airport Road, and are currently placed at the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute in Jurong.

[edit] References

• Norman Edwards, Peter Keys (1996), Singapore - A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places, Times Books International, ISBN 9971-65-231-5
• Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2003), Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names, Eastern Universities Press, ISBN 981-210-205-1