Named after a prominent politician, can you guess which Amsterdam bridge earned the nickname ‘Beha’? It is the Enneüs Heermabrug. This bridge connects Zeeburgereiland with Steigereiland. These are both districts in Amsterdam East. The Enneüs Heermabrug is more than just a crossing. It is a vital gateway to IJburg.
Completed in 2001, the Enneüs Heermabrug quickly became an important landmark. The bridge facilitates road traffic and a light rail line. Tram 26, known as the IJtram, uses this bridge. It provides a direct link from Amsterdam Central Station.
Nicholas Grimshaw designed the Enneüs Heermabrug. His design incorporated elements inspired by Amsterdam’s iconic canal houses. The arches and wavy patterns give a nod to the city’s waterside architecture. The bridge’s segmented appearance is based on a crab’s skeleton.
The Enneüs Heermabrug stretches 230 meters long and 38 meters wide. Its height reaches 26 meters. Constructing it presented unique challenges. The shallow water prevented the use of floating cranes. Engineers used pontoons and crawler cranes to position the arches.
In 2002, the Enneüs Heermabrug received the Nationale Staalprijs. It won in the Infrastructure and Other Steel Structures category. But it is also known as the ‘Beha’ or ‘Cup IJ’. Some even call it the ‘Pam An’ referring to Pamela Anderson.
The Enneüs Heermabrug is not without its challenges. Limited road capacity sometimes causes congestion. During busy times, the resulting traffic jam is nicknamed the Jan Hoekfile. It is named after a local politician. Despite these issues, the Enneüs Heermabrug remains a crucial link.
So as we stand here, take a moment to appreciate the Enneüs Heermabrug. It is more than just steel and concrete. It is a symbol of Amsterdam’s innovative spirit. It is a testament to modern engineering. And it has a quirky nickname too.