On Wednesday, December 10, the renovated steel bridge leaf of the Cruquius Bridge near Heemstede was installed in its place in the bridge. The counterweight of the bridge, the balance, was also mounted.
A video has been made of the transport and installation of the bridge leaf Opens an external link.
The steel bridge leaf weighs approximately 66 tons. The length of the bridge leaf is about 11 meters and the width is about 23 meters. The bridge leaf was made at the contractors factory in Krimpen aan de IJssel and was brought to the Cruquius Bridge by ship.
From a pontoon, the bridge leaf was placed in the Ringvaart in its position in the bridge. With the installation of the bridge leaf, the final phase of the renewal of the Cruquius Bridge has started. All work is expected to be completed by the end of March.
Work in the coming months
In the coming months, work will be done to connect and make the bridge movable. In March 2026, there will be some weekend closures. Then the final road layout will be restored and the bridges will be tested. This may affect traffic. More information about these inconvenience moments will follow later.
Shipping traffic disruption
Due to the work at the Cruquius Bridge, the Western Standing Mast Route is closed until March 31, 2026. Because there are also works and disruptions on other waterways through Amsterdam, North Holland is limited accessible by water until March 31, 2026. For example, the Eastern Standing Mast Route is currently limitedly navigable due to the malfunction at the Overtoomse Lock Bridge and the planned work on the Nieuwe Meersluis. The route via the Amstel is also limited due to repair work on Ouderkerk Bridge. Shipping is kept informed of current closures on the waterway via www.vaarweginformatie.nl Opens an external link.
Cruquius bridges
The Cruquius bridges are being replaced and renovated between 2023 and early 2026. The bridge will be circular, energy-neutral and built as low-maintenance as possible according to the principles of Industrial Flexible and Demountable building (IFD) Opens an external link. The bridge section towards Heemstede will be replaced and widened to create more space for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge section towards Hoofddorp will undergo major maintenance. The new bridge will improve safety and flow for cyclists, pedestrians and road traffic on the N201.
Collaboration
The renewal of the Cruquius Bridge is a collaboration between the Province of North Holland, the municipalities of Heemstede and Haarlemmermeer, the Amsterdam Transport Region and the Rijnland Water Board. The work is carried out by the construction combination Van Hattum and Blankevoort Holland Infra.
More information
For questions about the Cruquius Bridge, (water) road users and residents can contact the provinces service point at 0800 0200 600 (free) or send an email to servicepunt@noord-holland.nl. Or visit www.cruquiusbrug.nl Opens an external link or the regional Facebook page Opens an external link. Waterway users can also stay informed about operating times, closures or work at bridges and locks via this external link Opens an external link and www.vaarweginformatie.nl Opens an external link.