New Nettelhorsterbrug in Lochem opens with festive ceremony and tribute
Residents of Lochem can celebrate the opening of the Nettelhorsterbrug on April 11, 2026, with a festive program featuring live music, food trucks, and activities. The bridge, opening to traffic two days later, will improve local connectivity and ease congestion in the city center.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony | April 11, 2026, 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
| Officials Present | Deputy Klaas Ruitenberg, Mayor Frans Backhuijs, Alderman Michiel Rijsberman |
| Bridge Opens to Traffic | April 13, 2026 |
| Location | Nettelhorsterbrug, Lochem (near NS station) |
| Activities | Food trucks, live music, children’s activities, rickshaw rides for elderly |
| Tribute | Honoring 2 deceased and 2 injured workers from a 2024 construction accident |
| Traffic Impact | Lochemse Brug closes to motorized traffic; pedestrians/cyclists only |
| Final Works Completion | June 2026 |
The province of Gelderland and the municipality of Lochem are responsible for the development and maintenance of regional infrastructure, including bridges like the Nettelhorsterbrug. Their role ensures safe, efficient, and sustainable connectivity for residents and businesses in the area.
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Read the full translated article below
Program for the opening ceremony of the Nettelhorsterbrug in Lochem announced
On Saturday, April 11, 2026, it's time. At 12:30 PM, the opening ceremony of the Nettelhorsterbrug in Lochem will take place. The province of Gelderland and the municipality of Lochem are organizing an afternoon program for residents on the occasion of the bridge's opening. We cordially invite you to be present. On Monday, April 13, the new bridge will open to traffic.
You are warmly welcome between 12:30 and 4:00 PM
On April 11, we will start at 12:30 PM with the official opening ceremony by deputy Klaas Ruitenberg (province of Gelderland), mayor Frans Backhuijs, and alderman Michiel Rijsberman of the municipality of Lochem. Afterwards, visitors can walk over the bridge and enjoy everything there is to see and experience along the way and in the canal park.
Food trucks and activities
In the canal park, there are food trucks where visitors can enjoy a drink or some treats. Furthermore, there is a storyteller from Lochem, children's activities, and live music: an accordionist in the park and a bike DJ on the bridge. During this afternoon, meeting, experiencing, and accessibility are central. For residents of four nursing homes in Lochem, we arrange for them to take a rickshaw ride over the bridge. This way, they can also actively participate in this special day that lasts until 4:00 PM.
During the opening ceremony, we will also pay tribute to the 2 employees who died and the 2 employees who were injured. This happened during the tragic accident on February 21, 2024, while hoisting an arch part of the Nettelhorsterbrug.
Come by bike
The new bridge is accessible from the side of the NS station. The municipality and province ask everyone to come on foot or by bike as much as possible. On foot, the canal park is accessible via the stairs at the old Lochemsebrug. Visitors who come by bike or car can park these on the side of the NS station. From there, you walk under the Nettelhorsterbrug to the canal park.
Bridge open to traffic on April 13, 2026
On Monday, April 13, 2026, the Nettelhorsterbrug will open to motorized traffic. From that moment on, cars, motorcycles, and trucks coming from the Goorseweg and the Kwinkweerd can drive over the bridge. On the same day, we will close the Lochemse Brug to all motorized traffic. Only pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed on the Lochemse Brug from that moment on.
Throughput and accessibility
Together with the recently opened N825 Nettelhorsterweg, the new provincial road forms an important link between the Achterhoek, the A1, and the Stedendriehoek (Deventer-Zutphen-Apeldoorn). This significantly improves the safety and throughput of through traffic. The landscape integration enhances the green appearance of the area with its characteristic tree lanes and estates.
Final works
In April and May 2026, construction company BAM will carry out the final works. For example, the temporary roundabout on the Kwinkweerd will be removed, which was built as a connection to the Lochemsebrug. Also, the bike paths will be connected to the Ampsense Knoop. All works are expected to be completed in June 2026. With the commissioning of the Nettelhorsterbrug, the connection of the main access and exit roads of Lochem is a fact. Through traffic (freight) can now travel via the Kwinkweerd over the new bridge to the Goorseweg and vice versa. The existing Lochemse bridge, the core of Lochem, and the area around Friesland will no longer be burdened.