The Benjamin Sheares Bridge (Chinese:薛尔思桥; pinyin:Xūeěrsī Qíao; Malay: Jambatan Benjamin Sheares; Tamil: பென்ஜமின் ஷியர்ஸ் பாலம்) is the longest bridge in Singapore, spanning 1.8km, and the tallest, at 29 metres (95ft).
It is named after Benjamin Sheares, the second President of Singapore, who died four months before the bridge was opened to the public on 26 September 1981.[2] The bridge is part of the East Coast Parkway (ECP), at the western end of the expressway. The cost of construction was S$110 million.[3]
The bridge has one other exit (signed exit 15 on the ECP) for Rochor Road and Suntec City.
Benjamin Sheares Bridge is the setting for the annual SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon[4] (formerly the Sheares Bridge Run).
It is also pictured on the rear panel of the Ship Series S$50 banknote.[5]
History
The East Coast Parkway (ECP) was first conceptualised in 1969 to reduce traffic at Golden Mile. The plans included the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, which was designed to be high-capacity bypass to the central area as well as to reduce congestion in Newton, Scotts, Paterson, and Outram roads during peak hour.[6]
Benjamin Sheares Bridge and the Singapore Flyer (2007, under construction)
