Lorong Chuan Overhead Bridge

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 was the oldest overhead bridge in Singapore before it was dismantled and demolished in late 2019.

Published: 25 April 2011

Updated: 04 May 2020