Merdeka Bridge

Merdeka Bridge (22 July, 2015)


Merdeka Bridge (GPS: 5.56389, 100.42808) is a major bridge across the Muda River. It connects Kedah to Penang. The Merdeka Bridge was so-named because it was completed in 1957, the year Malaya gained independence from the British. It replaced an earlier bridge that was built in 1940 but was destroyed during the Second World War in 1942.

The original Merdeka Bridge was a two-lane bridge, with one lane of traffic in each direction. This original bridge was officiated by the first prime minister of Malaysia, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. Later on, to cater to increased traffic, another bridge of a similar design was built to the east of the first bridge. With its completion, the original bridge caters only to northbound traffic while the newer bridge for southbound traffic. The road crossing Merdeka Bridge is Federal Route 1, also known on the Penang side as Jalan Kedah.

In sight of the Merdeka Bridge is a World War II pillbox that was built by the British to defend Penang. The village that developed to the south of the bridge, in Penang, became known as Kampung Jambatan Merdeka.

Another view of Jambatan Merdeka (13 March, 2005)

360° View of Merdeka Bridge on Google Maps Street View

Merdeka Bridge is on the map of Jalan Kedah

Merdeka Bridge is on the Map of Jalan Kedah, Seberang Perai

Back to Discover Kedah mainpage; list of Bridges in Kedah and Bridges in Malaysia

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