The Cavenagh Bridge was built in 1869 by convict labourers. Its completion coincided with the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh in the same year and was thus originally called Edinburgh Bridge to commemorate the event. It was later renamed in honour of Colonel Orfeur Cavenagh, the Governor of Singapore from 1859 to 1867. Cavenagh Bridge connected the government offices in Empress Place to the commercial district and negated the necessity of a ferry ride.
