Oosterdoksdraaibrug – Bridge 2270

The Oosterdoksdraaibrug: A Tale of Two Swing Bridges

Amsterdam’s Oosterdok Island is served by the Oosterdoksdraaibrug, a name that refers to two distinct swing bridges connecting the island’s eastern side to Dijksgracht (officially named in 1957).

The First Bridge: From Harbor Master’s to Replacement

The original bridge, known as the Havenmeestersbrug (Harbor Master’s Bridge, bridge 2770), was built in 1872. This swing bridge was made possible by the Oranjesluizen* taking over water-level management from the Oosterdok locks. Connecting Oosterdokskade and Piet Heinkade, it was captured in historical images by Jacob Olie. By 1907, the bridge was outdated and replaced with a truss girder bridge. Notably, the harbor master’s house stood nearby. Before the construction of bridge 485, this bridge was the sole link between Oosterdokeiland and Piet Heinkade, which then ran beneath the railway.

In the mid-1950s, the bridge underwent minor modifications for the IJ tunnel’s construction, coinciding with the creation of Dijksgracht. A bridge house was added in 1956. The completion of bridge 485, connecting De Ruijterkade and Piet Heinkade, dramatically altered traffic patterns. The old bridge was dismantled in 1971, and its number was reassigned to the Pelican Bridge. However, the bridge house and turntable remained.

The Modern Bridge: A Pedestrian and Cyclist Link

In 2005, a new swing bridge, designed by Henk Meijer of Kerste-Meijer Architekten BV, replaced the original. This 53-meter-long, 5-meter-wide bridge was designed for pedestrians and cyclists, with structural engineering by Ingenieursbureau Amsterdam. Due to clearance limitations, a swing design was chosen to accommodate the busy Oosterdok passage, a key shipping route. The bridge’s pivot point was positioned on the same mid-cliff dam as its predecessor, and its design echoes the nearby Mr. J.J. van der Velde Bridge. It received an honorable mention at a 2008 conference in Porto.

Challenges and Reopening

The bridge faced a prolonged closure, initially planned for two and a half years starting January 1, 2018, due to the construction of Booking.com’s headquarters and its underground parking garage. This closure sparked protests from residents and businesses, who sought alternative routes or faster construction. The bridge finally reopened on June 3, 2022, two years behind schedule, though initially with restricted access. However, less than two months later, it was closed again due to mechanical issues with the swing mechanism, leading to unsafe conditions. It reopened to pedestrians and cyclists around October 2022.

Ramps and Bridge House Adaptations

The bridge’s height necessitated the construction of ramps, one from Dijksgracht and another added in May 2022 to connect to the new quay on Oosterdokseiland. These ramps ensure smooth transitions for pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge house, designed by Kerste-Meijer Architects, was adapted to control multiple bridges, including bridge 485, the Oosterdoks railway bridge, and the Mr J.J. van der Velde Bridge. Its elevated control room and transparent design provided optimal views for operators. In 2023, centralized control of the bridges rendered the bridge house redundant, and it was repurposed as part of Sweets Hotel, offering unique overnight accommodations.

*

The Oranjesluizen are a complex of locks in the IJ. They form the boundary between the Inner and Outer IJ and help maintain the water level in the North Sea Canal. They also ensure that not too much salty water from the North Sea Canal enters the IJmeer. At a difference between the Buiten- and Binnen-IJ of more than 1.45 metres, locks are no longer used. The locks are managed by Rijkswaterstaat.

The complex extends from the village of Schellingwoude on the north bank of the IJ to the northern tip of Zeeburger Island, a place formerly known as the Paardenhoek.

Bridge Opening Times: https://waterkaart.net/gids/brug.php?naam=Oosterdoksdraaibrug