Victoria Bridge in Kuala Kangsar is Over 117 Years Old

Victoria Bridge, also known as Victoria Bridge in Seberang Karai, was built across the Perak River, connecting the town of Kuala Kangsar.

This bridge was built in 1897 and inaugurated by the then Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Murshidul Azam Shah, on March 21, 1900. Counting from its inauguration date, this bridge is over 117 years old. The two engineers responsible for designing this bridge were G.W. Fryer and C.R. Hanson. The construction of this bridge was intended to facilitate the transportation of tin ore at that time.

In fact, this bridge once dominated connectivity and became an important transport route for tin ore between the Western Malay states, including to the Port of Penang.

The bridge has six sturdy pillars made of red brick. Sir Frank Swettenham once stated that Victoria Bridge was the largest railway bridge in the East outside of India. During the Second World War, this bridge was bombed and, according to local residents, the bridge was split in two. This highlights how important this bridge was as a transport route back then.

An interesting fact about why this bridge was named Victoria Bridge: Firstly, it was named after Queen Victoria. This is because the start of its construction in 1897 coincided with Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Secondly, when construction was completed, South Africa was fully under the rule of Queen Victoria.

Today, this bridge is no longer in use since 2002, as a concrete bridge was built to replace the role of Victoria Bridge, and it has since been turned into a tourist attraction. However, local residents still use this bridge to cross the Perak River by motorcycle and on foot.