Fun facts to celebrate 100 years of the Johor-Singapore Causeway

Fun facts to celebrate 100 years of the Johor-Singapore Causeway
The Causeway in 1945 (above) and in 2023.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

On June 28 a century ago,, the Causeway was officially opened by the Governor of the Straits Settlements Sir Laurence Guillemard and Sultan Ibrahim of Johor.

Today, it is one of the busiest land crossings in the world. According to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), more than 2.4 million travellers crossed the Causeway and Tuas checkpoints during the recent Hari Raya Haji long weekend from June 13 to 17.

The Causeway in 1945.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
 "The Causeway: A Century of Connection" a travelling exhibition which kicks off at Woodlands Civic Centre.
PHOTO: Wonderwall.sg

To celebrate the Causeway's centennial anniversary, the National Heritage Board has unveiled "The Causeway: A Century of Connection", a travelling exhibition that traces the history and development of the bridge — a hundred years of stories, connections, and memories between Singapore and Malaysia. (More information on this below.)

Meanwhile, here are seven intriguing things you might not have known about the Causeway, all revealed at this unique exhibition.

1. The original Causeway was the biggest engineering venture in Malaya

The original Causeway, built in 1924, was only 18.3m wide and 1 km long. It took more than 2,000 workers five years to construct and included a roadway, railway line, and a water pipeline.

2. A "supernatural" foundation? Nah.

The Orang Seletar believed that human heads were incorporated into the Causeway's foundation to appease evil spirits and ensure the safety of its builders. Of course, no human head sightings were reported.

3. Wartime destruction and resilience

On Jan 31, 1942, the Causeway was blown up to stop invading Japanese forces. However, it did not deter the Japanese; they landed on Singapore's western coast and later repaired the Causeway to allow more soldiers through.

4. The first causeway jam (?)

During the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), the Communist Party of Malaya's attacks on railways led to increased reliance on cars, possibly causing the first-ever Causeway jam.

5. A fisherman's paradise

The Causeway was once a popular fishing spot, believed to be a safe haven for fish away from sharks and barracudas. However, due to immigration controls, fishing is no longer allowed.

6. Bus services through the decades

Two bus services, Service 170 and the Singapore-Johor Express, have ferried passengers across the Causeway since before WWII until today. Service 170, originally operated by the Green Bus Company, is now SBS Transit.

7. "Operation Snip Snip"

In the 1970s, "Operation Snip Snip" targeted hippie culture, which was blamed for increased drug use. People with long hair, beards, and floral shirts were not allowed across the Causeway, leading to a boom in barber stalls nearby.

"The Causeway: A Century of Connection"

PHOTO: Wonderwall.sg
This visitor card is inspired by the old immigration white card issued by ICA before March 2020. 
PHOTO: Wonderwall.sg

The exhibition is designed to transport you through time, drawing inspiration from the old Woodlands immigration checkpoints.

You can embark on an immersive journey with an "immigration white card" like the ones issued before March 2020, and collect "immigration stamps" as you explore the exhibits. Archival photographs and anecdotes breathe life into the stories, offering a vivid glimpse into the past.

Starting its run on June 28, 2024 at Woodlands Civic Centre, the exhibition will travel to the National Archives of Singapore at Canning Rise in September, coinciding with a public talk on the Causeway. After that, it's set to tour various institutes of higher learning, public libraries, and other public spaces.

Complementing the exhibition, the National Library Board has launched a curated website featuring archival records, photographs, audio-visual resources, and oral history interviews.

PHOTO: Wonderwall.sg
PHOTO: Wonderwall.sg

ALSO READ: NDP 2024: A showcase of strength as Total Defence turns 40

This article was first published in Wonderwall.sg.

homepage

trending

trending
    'It's time to take responsibility for what I did': Ex-actor Ian Fang arrives at State Courts to begin prison sentence
    Woman arrested for allegedly making over $262k worth of purchases using stolen credit card details
    Singaporean cyclist dies after hitting pothole and then run over by lorry in Johor
    New crane tips over at Tuas Port, no injuries reported
    Home-based food businesses stir debate among restaurant owners
    Cyclist, 54, seen lying face-down following accident with tipper truck along Tanah Merah Coast Road
    Four Star has 80% off mattresses and furniture for 4 days only, SAFRA members get extra 10% off
    Just tired or something more? The overlooked mental struggles some new dads face
    Malaysian woman found dead in Johor, colleagues seek only known relative in Singapore
    Singapore's Covid-19 wave subsides after weekly infections climbed to 26,400 cases in April
    Anxious Harvard-bound Singaporeans press ahead with plans, even as some still don't have visas

Singapore

Singapore
    • ICA arrests Malaysian man trying to leave Singapore by hiding in lorry
    • Foreigner arrested for suspected drug trafficking offences, over $110k worth of cannabis and Ice seized
    • Singapore's 15th parliament to open on Sept 5
    • 16 arrested for illegal horse betting in joint operation by Singapore and Malaysia police
    • 'Consultants' luring debtors to borrow more to exploit government bankruptcy avoidance scheme
    • $540 instead of $5.40: Porridge stall in Westgate seeks customer who overpaid by mistake
    • Police Coast Guard rescues 63-year-old man off East Coast Park waters
    • 'Can't get through to anyone': Jetstar Asia passengers facing issues with refund applications
    • HSA raids nightclub at Coleman Street for sale and use of illegal e-vaporisers
    • Cultural group releases own video to clear the air over Gan Siow Huang handshake incident 

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • BTS' Jin tries lie detector test, what untruths did the machine pick out?
    • Kim Soo-hyun's luxury apartment seized over unpaid advertiser's penalty fee amid Kim Sae-ron scandal
    • 'I thought I was a forgotten actress': Apple Hong touched by supporters' messages after Star Awards' popularity nomination
    • Ryan Lian reveals rocky 4 months, including grandma's death and 'eating huat kueh left out for prayer rituals'
    • Alex Fong and wife expecting 1st child
    • Ye makes surprise appearance at Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial; judge considers removing juror
    • Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are engaged
    • Judge in Harvey Weinstein trial declares mistrial on rape charge
    • Sabrina Carpenter to release album titled Man's Best Friend on Aug 29
    • Stars harassed: Jungkook's house almost broken into by woman, chauffeur sells Orm's personal info to fans

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Hello, Singapore: Malaysian bubble tea chain Tealive lands at Changi Airport, first outlet in the country
    • Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular coming to Singapore March 2026, waitlist now open
    • Durians for $1.95 at FairPrice annual fair this June
    • Restaurant Labyrinth to have 2-day collaboration with Culinary Class Wars' Choi Hyun-seok
    • Best buffet dining promotions in Singapore: Carousel, Colony, Edge, Peppermint, The Line buffet prices (June 2025)
    • Smart #3 Brabus review: Fun EV performance with a bit more sensibility
    • First-timer's guide to Costa del Sol
    • Touring a rare stretch of original 2-storey freehold terrace homes at Joo Chiat Place (from $3.02m)
    • Just opened in June 2025: New restaurants, cafes and bars in Singapore
    • 'I miss you, dad': Sons speak on grief, growth and navigating life without a father

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool
    • Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo
    • Ado concert review: Singer without a face ignites fans while in cage with only silhouette visible
    • EU and US authorities take down malware network
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Estee Lauder Chairman Emeritus Leonard Lauder dies at 92
    • Love without a BTO flat: Tough housing choices facing mixed-nationality couples in Singapore
    • 9 best air-mile credit cards in Singapore (May-June 2025)
    • Trump approves Nippon Steel's $19b purchase of US Steel
    • Air India disaster is first fatal Boeing 787 accident
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (June 2025): Blackpink Visa presale, Lilo & Stitch Hawaii vacation, up to 50% off flights and more
    • More seniors to benefit as 3 local banks recognise CPF Life payouts as income proof for credit card applications
    • World Bank cuts global growth forecast as trade tensions heighten uncertainty
    • Queenstown 5-room loft breaks national HDB record at $1.65m

Latest

Latest
  • US aircraft carrier heads west from South China Sea amid Middle East tensions
  • Air India Dreamliner returns to Hong Kong after technical issue mid-air, source says
  • German court to deliver landmark verdict on Syrian doctor accused of torture
  • A far-right inspired murder forces France to wrestle with what counts as terrorism
  • Not the time to mess with EU-US trade, EU's Costa says
  • US police arrest suspect Vance Boelter for Minnesota lawmakers' shooting
  • Iran lauds 'new method' as missiles hit Israel's Tel Aviv, Haifa
  • Trump says must expand efforts to deport people illegally in US
  • In Air India crash, canteen worker hopes for 'second miracle'

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • 'Family love keeps me going': Thai, 46, walks 700km to quit cannabis addiction
  • 'I was scared. I stood up and ran': Sole survivor of Air India crash reportedly jumped out of emergency exit
  • 'Overwhelming response': Less than 2,000 books left after Yale-NUS adoption drive, June 14 fair open to public
  • 'You got yourself a customer for life': Woman receives surprise gifts from SIA crew to celebrate her pregnancy
  • Bus swayed uncontrollably and was speeding: Survivors of crash which killed 15 students in Malaysia describe terrifying moments
  • 'Modern kampung spirit': Neighbours leave heartfelt notes on newly-weds' apology notice for wedding 'gatecrash' noise
  • 'A quiet spot to hang out': Car enthusiasts mourn closure of '40 tiang' Lim Chu Kang Road
  • 2 women arrested for theft at Changi Airport transit area within an hour
  • 40 Singaporeans going on 'Single's Inferno' trips to Japan to find love, minus the cameras
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.