There has been a bridge here at the location of Krijtbergbrug for centuries, because Joan Blaeu‘s map from around 1649 already shows the bridge in this location, as well as the buildings on the Beulingsloot directly on the water. However, the bridge was almost lost, because in the plans of the municipality of Amsterdam for a radial road to the southwest, the “ditch” was almost filled in and the bridge would have become pointless and been removed also. However, the Leidsestraat was chosen as the exit road instead.
In 1920 though, the bridge was in danger of being removed again: the municipality wanted the headquarters of De Nederlandsche Bank to be built here, but once again it remained as the plans were changed.

