Before the Utrechtsebrug stood a gaspont. A ferry it plied the Amstel since 1911. The Zuidergasfabriek operated it. The city took over in 1927. It was nicknamed the gaspont. Its pier was near the gas factory. A steam engine powered it. The factory’s coke fueled the boiler.
The Utrechtsebrug itself a marvel of engineering. It replaced the old gaspont. It connected the Rijnstraat to the Nieuwe Utrechtseweg. This bridge spans the Amstel. It also crosses the Amsteldijk and Ouderkerkerdijk. One end sits in the Martin Luther Kingpark. Concrete formwork was there.
Its construction began in 1951. It was Amsterdam’s longest and most expensive bridge. The initial cost estimate was 1 250 000 guilders. This rose to 3 500 000 guilders. Around 600 piles supported the structure. Piet Kramer designed it. Eugene Freyssinet assisted with the prestressed concrete. Cost-cutting measures reduced the number of pillars from four to two. The bridge’s length grew to about 250 meters. To avoid a bascule bridge the clearance was set at 5 meters. This meant the bridge started at the Rijnstraat’s end. The President Kennedylaan Rivierenlaan also widened because of increased traffic.
Construction faced setbacks. A shortage of building materials in 1953 caused delays and layoffs. The opening was repeatedly postponed. The Nieuwe Utrechtseweg was ready but the bridge was not.
Finally on April 1 1954 Rijksweg 2 opened. Minister Jacob Algera presided over the opening. A procession of 150 cars crossed the unfinished bridge. The official opening came on July 3 1954. Mayor Arnold Jan d’Ailly cut the ribbon. He and Kramer walked across the bridge. In 1969 the layout changed. Cycle paths narrowed. In 2017 it had two footpaths two cycle paths. There were two lanes city-bound three city-in.
A contest decided the bridge’s name. The most popular choices were Dr A Plesmanbrug and Utrechtsebrug. The Utrechtsebrug won. A unique feature is a Sabbath chain. The Dutch Israelite Community donated it. It symbolized the Amstel’s closure. Jewish law forbids carrying things outside the walled city on the Sabbath. The chain made Amsterdam an eruv. The carrying restriction then didn’t apply.
The Utrechtsebrug stands as a testament. It is a testament to engineering. It is also a reminder of Amsterdam’s history. It’s a bridge connecting past and present. It reflects changes in traffic and city life. It is a symbol of community and faith. Stand here and let the Utrechtsebrug’s story resonate.