The most urgent work on this Rotterdam bridge over the Nieuwe Maas, the movable part, is being put on the market as the 1st.

Evaluation and market consultation

At the beginning of 2024, the tendering for this large, complex project was canceled. After careful evaluation of the previous tender, an intensive period of market consultation was conducted, of which a discussion report was published in April 2025. It appears that the market sees the division into 4 contracts as logical. The chosen contract form for the 1st contract has also been positively received.

Division into 4 contracts

In the renewed approach, the project is divided into 4 contracts. The 1st contract includes the renewal of the eastern bascule bridge dating from 1961. The contractor will carry out civil works on the eastern bascule pit, the pillars, replace the eastern and middle bridge leaf, and renew the systems for operation, monitoring, and control of the entire bascule bridge.

The finishing works after the placement of the arch bridges are also part of this contract. This includes, for example, asphalting and the installation of lighting and signaling. The 3 other contracts, which will be phased to the market, consist of building a new arch bridge, renovating the existing western arch bridge, and transporting and placing the arch bridges through heavy transport and lifting operations.

Collaboration of activities

The division into 4 contracts means that the work will likely be carried out by different market parties. Naturally, the activities must fit well together. In the new approach, we take responsibility for the coordination and integration of all different activities and for collaboration across all interfaces.

Contract form suitable for uncertainties and risks

The work in the immense, 60-year-old bascule pit brings uncertainties. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately calculate a price in advance. To provide the contractor with more financial security, a ‘Cost+ tailored agreement’ has been established for this 1st contract. Here, the client pays the contractor what the work actually costs plus a fixed percentage for overhead and profit. This way, the contractor knows that unexpected issues will be covered.

Planning the renewal of the bridge

The renewal of the Van Brienenoord Bridge is expected to start in 2027 with the engineering phase and will extend over a period of about 5 years.

It is expected that in 2029 the movable parts and the movement work will be addressed, followed by the placement of a new west arch in 2030. The old west arch will be refurbished and in 2032 the east arch will be replaced. All work is expected to be completed in 2033.

To minimize the impact on traffic, the work will take place with traffic disruption during and around the summer periods of the mentioned years. During the period until the final delivery of a completely renewed Van Brienenoord Bridge, the bridge can continue to be used safely. We monitor the bridge and carry out interim maintenance as needed.

Interested market parties can register via TenderNed, after which the dialogue phase for this tender will begin with a kickoff meeting in mid-October 2025. The intended award is scheduled for the summer of 2026.