The construction of the Daniel den Hoed Bridge has begun. The new pedestrian bridge will soon connect the Family House Daniel den Hoed and the Little C neighborhood with the Erasmus MC. The bridge is expected to be completed in 2027.
The goal is to provide a faster, safer, and easier route for family members of cancer patients staying at the Family House. Additionally, other pedestrians who do not stay at the Family House can also use the bridge to cross the ’s-Gravendijkwal.
Safe and Fast Connection
The Family House Daniel den Hoed has provided shelter for family members of cancer patients treated at the Erasmus MC for over 30 years. The new bridge ensures that guests of the Family House no longer have to take a detour and cross the busy road. Instead, they can quickly and safely walk to the hospital via the bridge.
Dr. Daniel den Hoed
The bridge is named after Dr. Daniel den Hoed (1897-1950), a well-known Rotterdam physician who developed radiotherapy in the Netherlands. After his death in 1950, the Daniel den Hoed Clinic was named after him. The Erasmus MC Cancer Institute is now located here. The bridge is a tribute to the work of Dr. Den Hoed and the care for cancer patients.
Family Houses Wish Comes True
With the arrival of the bridge, a long-awaited wish of the Family House Daniel den Hoed comes true. Director Rachel Maréchal is pleased that construction is finally starting: ‘It is very important for our guests and their loved ones to be close to the hospital. The bridge makes it possible to be together in a few minutes.’
Funding
The construction of the bridge costs approximately 8.8 million euros. The money comes from various parties, including the Daniel den Hoed Foundation, KWF Cancer Control, and the municipality of Rotterdam. KWF Cancer Control has made a significant contribution, partly by raising money during the NN Marathon Rotterdam of 2023. Part of this money will be used for the bridge, and the other part for the Family House.
Sustainable Design
The bridge is designed by the architectural firm wUrck and will be built by Dura Vermeer. The bridge will have a so-called nature-inclusive design. This means that sustainable materials such as steel and wood will be used. There will also be a lot of attention to biodiversity. For example, birdhouses, bat boxes, and bee hotels will be installed. Additionally, a poem by Rotterdam poet Rien Vroegindeweij will be placed on the floor of the bridge. On the outside, a portrait of Dr. Daniel den Hoed, made by artist Celinda Versluis, will be featured.
Area Vision Hoboken 2030
The arrival of the bridge is part of the larger Area Vision Hoboken 2030. This plan aims to develop the area between Delfshaven and the center of Rotterdam into a pleasant and high-quality residential and living area.
