SINGAPORE — The National Heritage Board (NHB) will gazette three Singapore river bridges — Cavenagh, Anderson and Elgin — and the Padang as national monuments, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Saturday (Aug 3).

He announced that the landmarks will be accorded the highest level of preservation in view of their significance to the growth and development of the nation.

It is also to commemorate the Singapore’s bicentennial this year.

The three bridges, including the Cavenagh which is still the oldest to span the Singapore River, would collectively be one national monument, and the Padang, a second.

Ms Jean Wee, NHB’s director of the preservation of sites and monuments division, pointed out that the landmarks were pivotal to Singapore’s early years.

“The gazette of Cavenagh, Anderson and Elgin Bridges as an ensemble gives recognition to the technological advancements in early bridge construction,” said Ms Wee.

The NHB said the three historic bridges will be collectively gazetted as a national monument as they are the most architecturally significant of the bridges along the Singapore River, bear unique ornamental features, and carry greater impact as a group rather than as individual structures.

Describing the bridges’ role in Singapore’s growth as a trading port and city, Ms Wee said: “Functionally, they supported Singapore’s expanding trade interests, as well as physically linked the commercial and government quarters.”

Following their gazettal, the bridges will continue to be used, even as they are protected from future redevelopment.

Mr Daryl Ng, Deputy chairman of Sino Group, which manages Fullerton Hotel said: "Both the Cavenagh and Anderson Bridges are situated a stone’s throw away from the Fullerton Hotel, and are well utilised by our guests as they cross the bridges to explore the many attractions in the Civic District by foot."

"The upcoming gazette is a validation of the bridges’ vital role and significance in our Singapore story," he added.

Also located in the heart of the civic district is the open green space called the Padang — the de facto town square during the Japanese occupation, said Ms Wee.

“People would gather there for milestone events throughout the course of our nation’s history — witnessing the surrender of the Japanese at City Hall, and responding to the political declarations as they were rallied by founders of our nation,” she said.

The Padang has also witnessed key events in Singapore’s history such as the swearing-in of first president Yusof Ishak as head-of-state in December 1959 and the first National Day Parade in August 1966.

The gazettal will not change the Padang’s current use, whether for sports and recreation, or as part of national events such as the National Day Parade.

Ms Wee said: “Both these impending gazettes will contribute to the architectural and cultural diversity of our nation’s built heritage, and together with our 72 other National Monuments, preserve and celebrate the many places and stories that define Singapore and our people.”