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. Designed by the Public Works Department the bridge was officially opened on August 17, 1956.
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.
When the Merdeka Bridge was built, it formed the vital link between the city centre and the rapidly growing east coast via the Nicoll Highway. 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 and known as the Merdeka lions.[1] These sculptures by Rudolfo Nolli have since been removed, first to Airport Road, and are currently placed at the SAFTI Military Institute in Jurong. Then they were moved to HQ 2PDF in Clementi Camp.