Across the Zijkanaal I in Amsterdam-Noord stands the NSM-brug. It’s more than just a bridge. It’s a testament to Amsterdam’s ever-changing landscape. The NSM-brug you see before you isn’t the original. It’s the third iteration. The first NSM-brug a simple steel lifting bridge was built in 1919. It connected Tuindorp Oostzaan to the rest of Amsterdam. The arrival of GTA bus line B in 1925 marked a milestone. Tuindorp Oostzaan finally had public transport.
Increased traffic demanded an upgrade. In 1956 a double bascule bridge replaced its predecessor. This one boasted a charming bridgekeeper’s house designed by the renowned Aldo van Eyck. Separate pedestrian and cycle paths were added too. Interestingly the old bridge didn’t go to waste. It was repurposed to replace the dilapidated Westergasbrug. It continues to serve there today. This bridge’s design allowed for four waterways. The central ones were for larger vessels.
For nearly fifty years from March 1, 1920 to October 31, 1968 IJveer III a ferry plied the waters near the NSM-brug. Its pier was conveniently located on the Papaverweg. Today GVB bus lines 35 and 36 and EBS lines 391 and 394 travel across the NSM-brug. A haven for houseboats lies northeast of the bridge.
The bridge was unofficially known as the Langebrug or Klaprozenbrug for years. Its length was rather remarkable. In 2016 however Amsterdam’s city council reviewed bridge names. The NSM-brug didn’t meet naming guidelines. It only retained its bridge number. This was partly because Amsterdam already had a Langebrug. That one disappeared after a section of the Rokin was filled in. Thanks to the efforts of Ruud van der Sluis. it was renamed NSM-brug. The name reflects the presence of the NSM shipyard.
The NSM-brug you see today is a recent addition. Built between 2016 and 2018 it replaced the Van Eyck bridge. The concrete bridgekeeper’s house is gone. Remote operation from the Westerkeersluis made it unnecessary. The new NSM-brug is actually two parts. One is for fast traffic. The other caters to pedestrians and cyclists. Both parts form a cohesive whole. Its grand opening was held on April 22 2018. Coby van Berkum and Ruud van der Sluis officially opened this impressive bridge. It’s a symbol of Amsterdam’s continuous adaptation and remarkable history.