Erasmus Bridge

bridge in Rotterdam, Netherlands

The Erasmus Bridge is a bridge in the city of Rotterdam. The bridge was the second bridge built over the Maas river. The bridge is named after Desiderius Erasmus who was born in Rotterdam.[3] The bridge connects the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam.[4] The bridge was designed by Ben van Berkel. Queen Beatrix opened the bridge in 1996.[4] The bridge is a 802-metre (2,631-foot) long cable-stayed bridge. It is 139 metres (456 ft) high. Between the pillar and the district "Kop Van Zuid" is a 89-metre (292-foot) long bascule Bridge (it lifts to allow ships to pass under it). The Erasmusbridge has the biggest and heaviest bascule bridge in Europe.[5] The bridge was used in events such as 2010 Tour de France, Rotterdam Marathon and The World Port Days.

Erasmus Bridge

Erasmusbrug
The Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam
Coordinates51°54′33″N 4°29′12″E / 51.90917°N 4.48667°E / 51.90917; 4.48667
Carries2 tramway tracks, 4 traffic lanes, 2 cycle tracks, 2 sidewalks
CrossesNieuwe Maas
LocaleRotterdam, Netherlands The Netherlands
Other name(s)De Zwaan (The Swan)
Characteristics
MaterialSteel and concrete
Total length802-metre (2,631 ft)
Width33.8-metre (111 ft)
Height139-metre (456 ft)
Longest span285-metre (935 ft)
No. of spans4
Clearance below12.5-metre (41 ft)
History
DesignerBen van Berkel
Construction end1996
Construction cost€ 165 million[1] (365 million Guilders)[2]
Location
Map

References

change
  1. erasmusbrug
  2. cvspdfdocs
  3. Lionel Browne, Bridges: Masterpieces of Architecture (New York, NY: Smithmark, 1996), p. 78
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Erasmus Bridge Rotterdam". Holland.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  5. Haselager (n.d.). "Erasmus Bridge". TravBuddy LLC. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2014.