Enneüs Heerma Bridge   Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Ijburg Bridge, now formally named the Enneüs Heerma Bridge, forms an essential connection between Amsterdam and the new Ijburg district – an archipelago of seven islands built from reclaimed land south-east of the city.

The competition-winning design accommodates two tramlines, two cycle paths and pedestrian footpaths, as well as several lanes for cars. Its easily accessible public transportation gives ready alternatives to commuting by car and fulfills national environmental policies.

As a notable transition between old and new land, the largest bridge spans 250 m and links the mainland to Ijburg’s first island, Steigereiland.

A second smaller bridge between two islands adopts the same material language but with a different configuration. The bridge system has sufficient flexibility to work for all vehicular bridges among the new islands, with double-span variants used where old land meets new.

Its dramatic sinusoidal structure is formed of two conventional arches linked by a counter-arch that functions as a bow-string truss. The white steel girders are organised in two decks with an appreciable gap between each to emphasise the sense of passing across water.

These days bridges often have a special significance in the design of the urban area and this is a prime example. The bridge has already become a symbol for Ijburg.

Frans de Rooy, Projectbureau Ijburg

Location
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Project Type
Infrastructure →

Client
Project Groep Ijburg Gemeente Amsterdam

Area
11,000 sq m

Status
Complete

Year
2001

Photography
Jan Derwig