Cavenagh Bridge

Cavenagh Bridge

Jambatan Cavenagh
加文纳桥
கேவனாக் பாலம்
Cavenagh Bridge in 2016
Coordinates1°17′12″N 103°51′08″E / 1.28656°N 103.85235°E / 1.28656; 103.85235
CarriesPedestrians and bicycles (motor vehicles in the past)
CrossesSingapore River
LocaleDowntown Core, Singapore
Official nameCavenagh Bridge
Characteristics
DesignCable-stayed bridge
Total length79.25 metres
Width9.45 metres
Longest span60.96 metres
History
DesignerGeorge Chancellor Collyer
Rowland Mason Ordish
A. H. De Wind
Constructed byP. & W. MacLellan
Construction cost$80,000–90,000
OpenedNovember 1869 (November 1869)
Statistics
Designated15 October 2019 (2019-10-15)
Reference no.73
Location
Interactive map of Cavenagh Bridge

Cavenagh Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that spans across the Singapore River. Located near the river's mouth in the Downtown Core Planning Area of Singapore's Central Area, it is the oldest bridge in Singapore that exists in its original form. Opened in November 1869 to commemorate Singapore's Crown colony of the Straits Settlements status in 1867, the bridge's steel structure was created in and imported from Glasgow, Scotland. It was designed by chief engineer George Chancellor Collyer and consulting engineer Rowland Mason Ordish.

Named after former governor Sir Orfeur Cavenagh, upon its opening the bridge was too low for larger boats to pass under during high tide. Its location and cost were criticised, as it was a longer route from the government offices and godowns as compared to the temporary bridge that was in place. By the 20th-century, Cavenagh Bridge carried the bulk of motor traffic and the congestion had worsened to a point where another bridge was needed. In 1910, Anderson Bridge was completed and motor traffic was redirected across it, while Cavenagh Bridge served pedestrian and rikisha traffic. A sign prohibiting motor vehicles and animals from crossing was erected at Cavenagh Bridge, while still stands to this day.

The bridge underwent multiple restorations over the years. In 1972, it was selected for national preservation, and in 2008 for conservation under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's expanded conservation programme. Cavenagh Bridge was later gazetted as a national monument in 2019 alongside Anderson and Elgin Bridge, being collectively gazetted as the Singapore River Bridges.