“Only 3.3 meters.” Imagine the frustration. That seemingly small number once prevented electric buses from running under the Kabelwegmetrobrug. The Kabelwegmetrobrug is a vital piece of Amsterdam’s infrastructure. It carries metro lines 50 and 51 over the Kabelweg. This bridge is more than just concrete and steel. It’s a testament to Amsterdam’s innovative approach to urban planning.
The Kabelwegmetrobrug, or bridge 1663, resides in Amsterdam-Westpoort. Metro line 50 has crossed this bridge since May 28, 1997. Metro line 51 joined it on March 3, 2019. The construction of this line prioritized safety. City planners aimed to avoid the problems of level crossings. They designed all crossings to be grade-separated.
Building here was not too difficult. A railway viaduct, bridge 1937, already existed over the Kabelweg. It dated back to around 1982. The Kabelweg below was equipped with two tunnel sections. These tunnels accommodated road traffic and pedestrian/cyclist traffic. The metro station Isolatorweg’s shunting yard begins just east of the viaduct. It includes a depot and metro wash hall.
The Kabelwegmetrobrug is the first bridge after and the last before the Isolatorweg terminus. Isolatorweg station also sits on a structure. Concrete beams support the span. The bridge is built into a half-high embankment. Look closely at the concrete. You can see the construction year, 1995, etched into it.
Now, here’s a quirky detail. Despite the road’s lowered position, the clearance under the Kabelwegmetrobrug is only 3.3 meters. This low clearance caused issues. Electric buses with roof-mounted equipment could not pass. Bus 36, traveling underneath the viaduct, couldn’t accommodate them. A touring car once got stuck. It was too tall for a rush-hour route. Fortunately, since December 12, 2021, line 36 no longer runs via Kabelweg, resolving the issue.
For years, the bridge lacked a name. In 2017, Amsterdam’s city council decided to name almost all structures on the metro lines. They often named them after the roads below. This bridge took its name from the Kabelweg. The Kabelweg got its name from the location of the electricity cables between Centrale Hemweg and the city.
The Kabelwegmetrobrug is a functional piece of infrastructure. But it also tells a story about problem-solving. It highlights the evolution of Amsterdam’s public transportation. As metro trains rumble overhead, remember the challenges and solutions that shaped this essential link in the city’s network.