Read Bridge, Pedestrian bridge at Clarke Quay, Singapore
Read Bridge is a pedestrian bridge with a steel beam structure spanning the Singapore River, linking Clarke Quay to the Swissôtel Merchant Court area. The bridge provides direct access to riverside dining and entertainment venues while serving foot traffic and cyclists.
Construction began in 1881 to replace the older Merchant Bridge, with the official opening taking place in 1889 under Governor Cecil Clementi Smith. This event marked a significant step in modernizing Singapore's port district.
The bridge served as a meeting place where the Teochew community gathered to share stories and watch street opera performances over many decades. This role made the riverbank a center for local cultural exchange and artistic expression.
The bridge is open daily for foot and bike traffic and connects the busy Clarke Quay area with the waterfront promenades beyond. The surface is level and unobstructed, making it straightforward to cross.
The bridge goes by different names depending on which community you ask - Read Bridge in English, Jembatan Kampong Melaka in Malay, and Kam-kong ma-la-kah kio in Hokkien. These varied names reveal the overlapping histories of the different groups who have lived and worked here.
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