Peering over the side, can you believe that beneath us lies a critical artery connecting Amsterdam and its sprawling surroundings? This is the Schipholbrug. It is more than just a bridge. It is a vital piece of infrastructure in the Netherlands.
The Schipholbrug stretches across the Ringvaart of the Haarlemmermeerpolder. It links Nieuwe Meer and Schiphol-Oost. Think of it as a crucial connection in the A9 motorway. The A9 is a major route for commuters and travelers alike.
Originally, the road that is now the A9 was called Rijksweg 6. Before the Schipholbrug was built, traffic crawled along the Schipholweg, now the N232. As early as the 1960s, about 15000 vehicles squeezed through there every day. That often caused kilometers-long backups because of frequent openings of the old Schipholbrug. That bridge is now called the Schipholdraaibrug.
The Schipholbrug you see today was born out of necessity. The Dutch government planned Rijksweg 6 to alleviate traffic congestion. The first lane of the Schipholbrug opened in November 1969. The other followed in early 1970.
This Schipholbrug is a bascule bridge. It features two independently moving sections. In 2023, a staggering 145200 vehicles crossed it daily. This makes it one of the busiest bridges around.
Fun fact. Many locals do not even know its real name. Instead, people simply call it the “Brug over de Ringvaart”. The agency responsible for its maintenance, Rijkswaterstaat, sometimes calls it “Schipholbrug in de A9”.
Did you know that the Schipholbrug is part of the Staande Mastroute? This route is for ships with tall masts. The bridge opens to let these ships pass.
Currently, the Schipholbrug is undergoing a significant upgrade. It is part of the massive Schiphol-Amsterdam-Almere project. This project widens the A9. The Schipholbrug is being widened on both sides, and its movable part will be replaced. The new Schipholbrug will be incredibly wide when finished. It will measure 59.5 meters. That makes it the widest bascule bridge in the Netherlands.
In October 2023, workers removed the bridge operator’s house. It made room for the expansion. Now operators control the bridge remotely.
The Schipholbrug is essential for traffic. It also allows ships to pass. The upgrades ensure it remains a vital link for many years. The Schipholbrug is not just concrete and steel. It is a symbol of Dutch engineering and progress.