Willemsbrug

The Willemsbrug in Rotterdam connects the city center on the north side, passing over the Noordereiland and the Koningshavenbrug, to the southern part of the city.

The bridge, opened in 1981, was designed by architect C. Veerling from the Rotterdam Municipal Works.

It replaced the original Willemsbrug from 1878, named after King William III, which was designed by architect C.B. van der Tak.

Willemsbrug (1878)

The bridge, opened in 1878, is named after King William III, who laid the foundation stone in 1874.

Between 1870 and 1877, the Willems railway bridge over the Nieuwe Maas was also built. The Willems bridge, connecting the center of Rotterdam with the south bank via the Noordereiland, along with the Hefbrug and Koninginnebrug over the Koningshaven, were known as the Maas bridges. Construction of these bridges marked the start of significant development on the left bank of the Maas.

The Willemsbrug spanned 326 meters, consisting of two bridges and three large spans. Horse tram tracks were already installed on the Willemsbrug in 1884. In 1904, the bridge was adapted for electric trams. Until the Maas Tunnel opened in 1941, it was the only fixed connection across the Maas River.

The Willems bridge was replaced by the new Willemsbrug in 1981. The Willems railway bridge was demolished in 1993 and replaced by the railway tunnel.

Currently, only the supports of the bridge remain.

Willemsbrug (1981)

The new Willemsbrug is a symmetrical cable-stayed steel bridge spanning 270 meters over the Maas River. The two red towers, standing at a height of 55 meters, are spaced 260 meters apart. From the towers, the cables anchored to the bridge deck unfold like umbrellas. The road surface has a gentle curve and sits 11.50 meters above sea level.

The bridge is 34 meters wide and has three lanes for cars, two bus lanes, and wide paths for bicycles and pedestrians.

Among six options, the chosen design was the most cost-effective. What’s special is that the entrances and exits of the Willemsbrug do not align with the bridge but make a 90-degree turn. On the north side, a loop was created towards Maasboulevard to avoid Oudehaven. On the south side, residents prevented a crossing towards Oranjeboomstraat, fearing it would become an urban highway.

The Willemsbrug was inaugurated on July 1, 1981, by Queen Beatrix along with the current King, Willem-Alexander.

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