Erasmus Bridge

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Erasmus Bridge

Erasmusbrug
Erasmusbrug, September 2019.jpg
The Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam
Coordinates51°54′33″N 4°29′12″E / 51.90917°N 4.48667°E / 51.90917; 4.48667Coordinates: 51°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

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.

References[change | change source]

  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. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  5. Haselager (n.d.). "Erasmus Bridge". TravBuddy LLC. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2014.