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A footbridge is believed to have existed here as early as 1819. Later, it was replaced by other bridges over time. In 1822, the Presentment Bridge, a wooden draw-bridge (also known as Monkey or Jackson Bridge ) was built by Lieutenant P Jackson. Later in 1843, the Thomson Bridge, a footbridge was built by J. T. Thomson but was demolished in 1862. Roads on both sides, North and South Bridge Roads were so named in relation to the bridges here.
A new iron bridge was built in 1862 and was named after Lord James Bruce, the eighth Earl of Elgin who served as the Governor-General of India (1862-63). Though it was widened soon after it was built, the iron Elgin bridge had to be dismantled in 1925, but the name remained. It gave way to the new concrete Elgin Bridge which was opened to traffic in 1929.
The Elgin Bridge has elegant cast iron lamps and medallions on the Singapore Lion, which were designed by the famous Italian sculptor, Cavalari Rudolfo Nolli. Nolli’s signature is inscribed on the Singapore Municipality plaque which can be found beneath the lamps.