Underpasses are rarely found in new towns of Singapore. Probably due to cost, difficulties in construction and drainage issues, the authority prefers to install overhead bridges, traffic lights and zebra crossings, common facilities that allow pedestrians to cross the roads conveniently.
Underpasses are usually reserved for busy roads or expressways. Most Singaporeans are familiar with the five famous underpasses across East Coast Parkway (ECP) from Marine Parade to East Coast.
Singapore’s first pedestrian underpass was built in 1964 at Connaught Drive, linking to Queen Elizabeth Walk in Esplanade Park.
In Marsiling, however, there is an old underpass across a three-lane Admiralty Road, which is quite unique as the road has little traffic. The length of the underpass is only about 50m long.
It is unknown when was the underpass constructed. Judging from its condition, it has to be several decades old. Marsiling itself is also an old estate, having developed from rubber plantations and wastelands at the early twentieth century to a housing estate in the eighties. Its development as a residential area was even earlier than the Woodlands New Town.
The name Marsiling derived from the Chinese name of Maxiling, where Maxi is the name of a village whom Lim Nee Soon came from. Lim Nee Soon (1879 – 1936) was a successful Teochew businessman and Chinese pioneer who owned large plots of land in present Yishun (named after him), Sembawang and Marsiling.
One end of the Marsiling Underpass links to Masjid An-Nur Mosque and Marsiling Community Centre, while the other end links to Block 23. In addition to stairs, it also has a gentle slope for cyclists’ usage.
Old underpasses are poorly lit and pose security concern especially at nights when the human traffic is low, which may be another reason why they are not preferred by the authority.
Published: 12 May 2011
Updated: 04 July 2011
Hey, thanks for this. I spent my teen years in Marsiling for slightly more than two decades and practically watched Marsiling Estate and Woodlands New Town form. I stayed in Blk 34 and sometimes used this bridge to get to the other side, which was near a Community Centre. The first CC in Marsiling was in Block 18 (the first unit), now a bicycle shop. It was the only place where we kids hung out to play ping pong and watched community TV. Not to mention, read the newspapers. I think the main reason for not building any of these tunnels any more had to do with visibility and security. We used to worry about drug users and such using these tunnels at night. My sisters used to worry about being raped, etc. So an overhead bridge is always better.
By the way, I write a blog about growing up in the backlanes of Geylang. I think your readers will like it too. Geylang of the 70s as seen through the eyes of a young boy. Cheers and many thanks for these pics. 
http://growing-up-in-geylang.blogspot.com/
Hi, Did you get my earlier comment? There seemed to be some technical difficulty.
Hi TC, thanks for your comment.
Nice writeup in your blog, do continue to share your childhood memories in Geylang
Hi, I used to stay in Block 33 (grandpa), Block 4A(rental house), Block 22(grandma) and Block 28(rental house). I would say that I seriously know all the linkage and pathways that are available in Marsiling. And to what the previous commentor mentioned about the first CC, I attended my first kindergarden in that Block 18!! That was in year 1991. I remembered we always had this morning execrise playing hola hoop outside the CC (the semi circle seats are still there). I love Marsiling and with regards to the underpass, it was in around 1995 where my mum signed me up for this art class in the cc and during that time, i was staying in block 33, i would have to cut across HDB flats and then to the underpass so as to get to the cc, it does always gives me that eerie feeling whenever i walk alone in that underpass. Come to think of it, the marsiling underpass is part of the history of this Marsiling estate.
Hi Nicole, thanks for your input..
Marine Parade underpasses gave me creeps too, during my childhood, being secluded and poorly lit..
I was in the Kindergarten in block 18 too. I was there in 1979-1980. Now that makes me feel very old. I used to stay at Blk 15 Marsiling Lane where there was a big field and playground. The only entertainment (shopping and movie) was located at the woodlands central. To get there, we would either walk pass the underpass or even used it to get across to the overhead bridge that link to the central. It was full of people in those days. Thanks for the photo. It really bring back memories.
I used to live in drive BLK 26 since I was born there till 1999, it definately brings back memories!!
My auntie blk 22.. still remember the musky urine smell in the underpass everytime when my mum bring me visit my auntie back in the 80s..
anyone encounter any paranormal experiences can let me know it.
I used to live in Blk 6 until we shifted in 2006. I can still remember the time way before the Woodlands Bus interchange is build, the bus interchange was located close to block 19. Used to take bus from there with my parents to travel to town. Thanks for bringing back the fond memories
I attended the People’s Association Kindergarten at the Community Centre next to the mosque from 84-85, and walking through this underpass was a daily affair. Thanks for the photos, looking at them triggers this memory of it’s distinct dank smell with hints of pee…
snailmeat. me too, attended PA kindergarden… got to walk this underpass to get there, yah that urine smell!!!