Halus Bridge

Slipping through time, let’s journey back to the 1970s and 80s. Imagine the constant rumble of trucks along Tampines Road, each laden with Singapore’s discarded treasures, heading east. Their destination? The Lorong Halus dumping grounds, Singapore’s last onshore dumping ground. Now, picture yourself standing on the Halus Bridge. It’s hard to believe this serene landscape was once a 234-hectare dumping ground, operating until 1999. The area, once a swamp rich with birdlife, transformed into a repository for Singapore’s waste. Today, the Halus Bridge connects us to a transformed landscape. The former dumping ground has been reborn as the Lorong Halus Wetland, a man-made wildlife sanctuary. The bridge itself spans the Serangoon Reservoir, Singapore’s 17th reservoir, created by damming the mouth of the Sungei Serangoon. As you cross the Halus Bridge, look towards where the old Kangkar Village once thrived. This bustling fishing port, home to fish traders and Singapore’s fishing fleet, was relocated to Punggol in 1984. Its location now lies near Buangkok East Drive. The Halus Bridge also holds a more unusual piece of history. Lorong Halus was home to Singapore’s last night soil collection centre. This practice, which involved collecting human waste in buckets, continued until 1987. And deep beneath the tranquil waters of the reservoir lie the remains of a false killer whale, stranded off Tuas in 1994. The Halus Bridge, with its maroon steel structure, might evoke a sense of nostalgia. It’s a pedestrian bridge offering a panoramic view of the Serangoon Reservoir and the Serangoon Tidal Gates. The bridge seamlessly connects to the Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, inviting you to explore further.