Look around you at Brug 811. It is more than just a way to cross the Kleine Wetering. It is a vital artery connecting Amsterdam and Amstelveen.
Brug 811 facilitates movement between Amsterdam and Amstelveen. It is part of Stadsroute 109. This bridge is not just a crossing but an integral part of the city’s infrastructure.
In 1961 and 1962, Brug 811 was built to ease traffic. It was meant to relieve the Amstelveenseweg. That road was the main route at the time.
Dirk Sterenberg of the Dienst der Publieke Werken designed Brug 811. Sterenberg likely designed the Brug Uilenstede too. Both bridges share similar railing designs.
Brug 811 is a wide traffic bridge. It has footpaths and cycle paths on both sides. There are also two lanes for fast traffic and a tram lane. A very narrow central reservation divides them. The tram track is 14 meters wide.
The bridge spans 9.5 meters over a waterway of 25 meters. The abutments stand far into the water. Two bridge piers support the structure. They limit the navigable width to four meters.
The through route was completed in May 1962. This eased traffic on Amstelveenseweg temporarily.
Originally, public transport did not cross Brug 811. A tram line extension was planned in 1965. Tram 24 would have run to Amstelveen. Metro plans prevented this.
Bus line 49 first crossed the bridge in 1972. Bus 67 followed in 1975. These disappeared in 1990. Tram 5 and rapid tram 51 were introduced. The northern part of the tram stop was high. The southern part was low. In the summer of 2019, the high tram stop was lowered. Rapid tram 51 was removed on March 3, 2019. Tram 5 remained. Tram 25 was added on December 13, 2020.
Brug 811 has undergone changes. It adapts to Amsterdam’s evolving transport needs. This bridge shows how infrastructure evolves over time.
Take a moment to appreciate Brug 811. It connects people and places. It carries trams, cars, cyclists and pedestrians. It stands as a testament to Amsterdam’s dynamic urban landscape.