The Willemsbrug is a bridge over the river Nieuwe Maas in the centre of Rotterdam.
The bridge connects the right bank of the Nieuwe Maas with the Noordereiland. The present bridge is the second Willemsbrug. The first was designed by C.B. van der Tak, was opened in 1878 and named after King Willem III. The second bridge was designed by Cor Veerling and was completed in 1981.
Even before the Second World War, there were plans to replace the old bridge. Lack of money led to the realisation of the new cable-stayed bridge designed by Cor Veerling in 1981. Two red yokes of 50 meters height carry the road surface. The bridge's entrances and exits are somewhat bizarre - they are not in line with the bridge but make a 90-degree turn. Initially the bridge would connect the Maasboulevard directly to the Oranjeboomstraat. This met with objections from local residents, who did not want the Old Harbour to be cut through and the Oranjeboomstraat to be transformed into a city highway. In 1983 the new bridge was awarded the National Steel Prize.
Netherlands
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
Netherlands
Germany
Netherlands
Germany
Germany