There are hundreds of pedestrian overhead bridges in Singapore, but not many are as old (still existing) and unique as the one at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, near the junction to Lorong Chuan.
Singapore’s first ever pedestrian overhead bridge was built over the busy Collyer Quay in 1964. The filmsy-looking former oldest bridge was long gone, probably deemed unsafe in today’s standard.
Henderson Waves, on the other hand, is the longest and tallest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, measured 274m long, 36m tall and completed in 2008. It is used, however, for leisure walking between Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park instead of crossing over a road.
This overhead bridge, built in 1975, links the private estate at Li Hwan Drive to a small field beside Goldenhill Park Condominium.
Unlike typical modern overhead bridges, the decades-old Lorong Chuan bridge looks like a long container box with rows of hexagonal windows at both sides.
Stepping onto the bridge, one feels he is entering another time zone even though the changed surroundings at both ends and the busy road underneath.
At every segment, there is an old-styled lamp tied to the cross bar to ensure the bridge is sufficiently lit at night.
Still going strong and showing no signs of fatigue, this unique old overhead bridge shall be around for many more years, unless the authority decides to upgrade or replace it to blend with its surroundings.
Built in 1967, the overhead bridge standing at the junction of Serangoon Road and St. Michael Road is currently the oldest overhead bridge in Singapore.
Published: 25 April 2011
Updated: 07 October 2012
A simple non-sheltered, rather filmsy-looking, overhead bridge located at Bukit Panjang Road in 1972
(Source: The National Archives of Singapore)
The installation of the bridge, however, could not prevent people from jaywalking the busy road
Singapore’s first pedestrian overhead bridge (mentioned in the article above) at Collyer Quay, officially opened in May 1964 by then-Parliamentary Secretary (Culture) Fong Sip Chee