Didn’t you know that the Wagon Litsbrug has a cheeky nickname? This bridge is officially known as Brug 387. However, locals often call it the Wagon Litsbrug. This name comes from the nearby Wagon Lits hotel. It is now known as the Zilveren Toren.
The Wagon Litsbrug elegantly spans the Open Havenfront. It offers pedestrians and cyclists a direct route. They can cross from the west side of Stationsplein. They can also cross from the east side of the Westertoegang to the Prins Hendrikkade.
Plans for the Wagon Litsbrug started in 1989 or 1990. The bridge was built alongside the Wagons-Lits headquarters and hotel. Certain requirements had to be met. The bridge’s foundations couldn’t interfere with future metro developments. Also, the span needed to be wide. This allowed tour boats to navigate the Westertoegang. The bridge has a clearance of 2.18+ NAP over a 15-meter waterway.
Benthem Crouwel Architekten designed the Wagon Litsbrug. Ingenieurs Bureau Amsterdam handled the technical aspects. The design features a double metal arch construction. Its pillars stand wide apart. They are almost against the waterfronts. These pillars also support the lanterns. The lanterns illuminate the bridge, its structure, and the surroundings. Protective structures guard the pillars and low constructions from collisions. The balustrades are slightly inward.
Cyclists know the Wagon Litsbrug as a “kuitenbijter”. This Dutch term means “calf biter.” It refers to the bridge’s steep inclines. These inclines make it difficult for cyclists. The bridge is also not very accessible for people with disabilities. On the south side, the bridge connects to the pedestrian and bicycle path. It is on the Prins Hendrikkade. Here, people can choose to go north or south. They can also go east through the underpass below the Haringpakkersbrug. To go west, one must turn left. Then, a sharp turn is needed to climb the Haringpakkersbrug. A painted line marks the separation between the pedestrian and bicycle lanes on the bridge.
The Wagon Litsbrug opened in late 1992. In 1994, it received the Staalprijs, a steel design award. Furthermore, the bridge set a trend for bridge construction. The city applied this trend in new neighborhoods like De Aker and IJburg.
Interestingly, the Wagon Litsbrug design contrasts with that of the Zilveren Toren hotel. Some felt the hotel didn’t fit the area. However, resistance faded over the years. The bike flat east of the bridge was removed at the end of 2023.
The Wagon Litsbrug not only provides a vital transportation link. It also stands as an example of innovative design. Its blend of aesthetics and functionality earned accolades. It also influenced Amsterdam’s urban development. Next time you cross this bridge, remember its story. Think of its design and its impact on the city.