Last night, tests were conducted at the Schiphol Bridge. During one of these tests, damage occurred to the gearbox, making it unsafe to operate the Schiphol Bridge at this time.
The non-operational period of the Schiphol Bridge for waterway users is thus extended. This has no consequences for car traffic.
On the night of April 10 to 11, 2025, the last safety test was conducted, testing the scenario where power fails during the opening or closing of the Schiphol Bridge. During this test at the northern leaf (bridge deck), the power supply was cut off during the opening of the bridge, as intended. The bridge deck should have come to a complete stop within a certain time, but it did not.
After an initial inspection, it was found that the gearbox was damaged and no longer functions. This is highly unusual and has not occurred before in such a test. The gearbox is designed to absorb the forces released during such a test.
What does this mean for the operation of the Schiphol Bridge?
Until the damage is repaired, the Schiphol Bridge cannot be operated. Various scenarios are being developed in the coming period so that we can provide more information about the consequences for waterway users.
Schiphol, Amsterdam, Almere Program
The Schiphol Bridge is part of the A9 widening and deepening project between the Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht junctions (A9BAHO) by Rijkswaterstaat. The A9 is being widened from 3 to 4 lanes per direction and a reversible lane is being added. Near Amstelveen, the A9 will be constructed below ground level for a length of 1.6 km.
The A9BAHO is the final piece of the road expansion Schiphol, Amsterdam, Almere (SAA). By widening the busy highways between Schiphol, Amsterdam, and Almere with one or more lanes, traffic flow and accessibility of the northern Randstad are improved. The livability in the area is also enhanced by a good integration of the road into the landscape and the application of various noise measures.