News of: Friday, July 01 2005,
Amsterdam will get the longest bicycle/pedestrian bridge of the Netherlands, on July 9.
On July 9 the bridge (which is already built in parts) will be installed, or 'sailed in'.
It will connect the new islands of IJburg, in the east of Amsterdam, with Diemen (a suburb), and will cross the Amsterdam-Rhine Channel.
The Amsterdam-Rhine Channel (Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal) is one of the busiest canals in Europe for freight ships (about 60,000 ships a year).
The bridge will be about 200 meters long, and will be 12 meters above the water. The deck is 5 meters wide, 3.5 for the cyclists and 1.5 for pedestrians. The main part (170 meters) will be transported for installation in one piece.
The installation of the bridge will happen in presence of the mayor of Amsterdam, and is expected to draw many visitors. On this day (July 9) the name will be presented too. It is now only known as 'bridge 2013'.
The design is by the Londen architect firm WilkinsonEyre.
Pictures / artist impressions are here and here.
