Everyone is warmly invited to attend. On Monday, April 13, 2026, the new bridge will open for traffic.
Warm welcome between 12:30 and 16:00
On April 11, 2026, at 12:30 pm, we start with the official opening ceremony. Our deputy Klaas Ruitenberg (Province of Gelderland) will do this together with mayor Frans Backhuijs and alderman Michiel Rijsberman (from the municipality of Lochem). Afterwards, visitors can walk over the bridge and enjoy everything to see and experience along the way and in the Kanaalpark.
In the Kanaalpark there are food trucks where visitors can enjoy a drink or a snack. Furthermore, there is a storyteller from Lochem, childrens activities and live music: an accordionist in the park and a bicycle DJ on the bridge. During this afternoon, meeting, experience and accessibility are central. For residents of 4 nursing homes in Lochem, we arrange that they can take a rickshaw ride over the bridge. This way they actively participate in this special day, which lasts until 16:00.
During the opening ceremony, we also remember the 2 employees who passed away and the 2 employees who were injured. This happened during the fatal accident on February 21, 2024, when lifting an arch section of the Nettelhorsterbrug.
Come by bike
The new bridge is accessible from the side of the NS station. We ask everyone to come as much as possible on foot or by bike. On foot, the Kanaalpark is accessible via the stairs at the old Lochemsebrug. Visitors who come by bike or car can park at the NS station side. From there you walk under the Nettelhorsterbrug to the Kanaalpark.
Bridge open for traffic on April 13, 2026
On Monday, April 13, 2026, at 6:00 am, the Nettelhorsterbrug will open for motorized traffic. From that moment on, it will be possible for cars, motorcycles and trucks to drive over the bridge from Goorseweg and Kwinkweerd. On the same day, we will close the Lochemse Brug for all car traffic. Only pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed on the Lochemse Brug from that moment on.
Final works
In the period after April 2026, construction company BAM will carry out the final finishing works. For example, the temporary roundabout on Kwinkweerd will be removed. It was built as a connection with the Lochemsebrug. The cycle paths will also be connected to the Ampsense Knoop. We expect all work to be completed in June 2026.