Conserved Structure
Crawford Bridge
Applicable Guidelines
Other Building Guidelines
Conservation Area
Crawford Bridge Conservation Area
Historic address: Crawford Street
About
Records show that since the 1830s, there has been a bridge at the bend in the Rochor River, connecting the plantations at the north to the settlements at the south bank and near the Kallang Basin. By the early 1900s, the bridge at that location had acquired the name 'Crawford Bridge' to commemorate John Crawfurd, the second British Resident of Singapore (1823-1826). Then, it was a timber structure supported on cast iron beams.
The History
In the 1920s, to accommodate the widening of Lavender and Crawford Street, a reinforced concrete bridge with characteristic bow-string arches replaced the timber bridge. The latest incarnation of the Crawford Bridge dates from the late-1980s and was completed in the early-1990s.
The Building
It is wider, longer and stronger to cope with current traffic loads, and retains the characteristic bow-string arches as well as the original roundrels with Singapura lions.
The Legacy
The bridge was given conservation status on 3 December 2009. With conservation, the bridge will continue to serve as an important marker and landmark across the river. The bridge is also significant because it commemorates the achievements of John Crawfurd. During his term as the British Resident of Singapore, Crawfurd was instrumental in implementing the Jackson Plan which was drawn up by Lieutenant Philip Jackson under the direction of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822. The Plan guided the growth of the city of Singapore for eight years after 1822.
Guidelines and Procedures
All proposed works will need to comply with the Conservation Guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin.
Any proposed additions and alterations to this conserved structure are subject to evaluation. Please submit your proposal for URA's review.
Gallery
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Explore Street View (Section heading)
The building can be found at this street.