Civic district’s new national monuments The grassy expanse that is the Padang will be gazetted a national monument, alongside the Cavenagh, Anderson and Elgin bridges. A national monument gazette is the highest form of recognition for a structure or site’s signicance. Evaluation factors include its historical, architectural and social importance to Singapore’s built heritage. Here are some reasons why they have made the cut. Anderson Bridge, 1909 • Opened in 1910 – a year after its completion – the bridge was built to supplement the capacity of Cavenagh Bridge which was struggling to cope with increased vehicular and pedestrian trafc. • It was named after Sir John Anderson, the Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States, who was also involved in Bugis the construction of the Bugis station Victoria Memorial Hall. Junction • The National Heritage Board notes that its ROCHOR Nationaldesign Museum bears close Singapore National TAN QUEE LAN ROAD ofresemblance Singapore to the old Art Museum Library STREET Victoria Bridge over the Brisbane River. CavenaghSuntec Bridge,City Mall 1869 CHJIMES • Named after Sir William Orfeur Cavenagh, the Governor of the Straits Settlements at that time, it is the oldest surviving bridge across the Singapore River. NORTH BRIDGE City Hall Esplanade ROAD station station • The cast iron structure was manufactured and shipped from Glasgow, Bay East Marina Bay Scotland. Garden Golf Course Promenade STAMFORD • SomeTEMASEK key features of the bridge include steel plates emblazoned with the RIVER VALLEY ROAD ROAD engineers’BOULEVARD names as well as the Cavenaghstation family crest. COLEMAN STREET St Andrew’s Marina Clemenceau Cathedral R Reservoir Fort Canning AFF Bridge LES Park BOULEVARD AVENUE CLEMENCEAU Elgin National Padang Bridge Gallery MARINA Singapore TEMASEK RINA GA BARRAGE Clarke AVENUE MA RDEN RAFFLES AVENUE S Quay ST ANDREW’S ROAD Esplanade – DRI Singapore VE station Theatres MERCHANT Flyer CONNAUGHT DRIVE on the Bay ROAD MARINA COASTAL EXPRESSWAY ESPLANADE DRIVE Anderson The Float @ EU TONG SEN STREET Marina Bay NEW BRIDGE ROAD Bridge Singapore Helix Elgin Bridge, 1929 River Bridge • This structure was built on the site of the rst footbridge (dating back to the SOUTH BRIDGE ROAD The 1820s) to be ever constructed in Singapore. Other bridges followed over the EAST COAST PARKWAY Cavenagh Fullerton The Padang years before Elgin Bridge as it stands today was erected in 1929. It was built Hotel higher to let lighters and tongkangs (river boats) pass through. Bridge One • The wide, open green space that is the Padang came into ofcial existence Fullerton E • The bridge was named after Lord James Bruce Elgin, the Governor-General around 1822, when the British formedU a attened eld on the site. N BAYFRONT AVENUE of India from 1862 to 1863. BATTERY • The Padang was used as a space forE nationalist parades, rallies and ROAD Marina V A protests such as two Indian National Army parades in 1943 and the Chinese • The construction was hailed as an engineering achievement in Singapore Raffles Place Reservoir S because its foundation had to be sunk to a depth of 80 feet below water due community’s victory rally in SeptemberE 1945 to celebrate Japan’s defeat station R to soil conditions. in China. Marina Bay A E Sands H S Gardens TEXT: MELODY ZACCHEUS PHOTOS: NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD, JOYCE FANG, JAMIE KOH, ST FILE SOURCE: NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD; BIBLIOASIA SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS Singapore by the Bay EU TONG SEN STREET NEW BRIDGE ROAD.