Van Brienenoord

Van Brienenoordbrug, connecting a growing city

The Van Brienenoordbrug is one of Rotterdam’s most important road bridges and a key connection on the A16 motorway. It crosses the Nieuwe Maas in the eastern part of the city and forms part of the Rotterdam Ring Road.

The first plans for a crossing in this area date back to the early 1930s. However, the funds originally intended for the project were eventually used for the construction of the Maastunnel, delaying the bridge for several decades.

After the Second World War, rapid economic growth, increasing car ownership and the expansion of Rotterdam created the need for new roads, bridges and tunnels. As part of the future ring road, a new bridge was planned across the Nieuwe Maas in the east of the city.

Construction of the Van Brienenoordbrug

Preparatory work began in the early 1960s. Construction had a major impact on the nearby Oud-IJsselmonde area, where large temporary worksites and storage areas were created for sand, clay and other building materials.

To construct the large arch of approximately 290 metres, temporary support piers were built in the river. Heavy construction materials were transported using floating platforms and other equipment on the water.

The bridge was designed by W.J. van der Eb of Rijkswaterstaat. One of its most distinctive features is the large steel arch with diagonal suspension cables supporting the bridge deck.

In 1962, Rotterdam City Council decided to name the bridge Van Brienenoordbrug, after the nearby Van Brienenoord island. The first bridge opened in 1965.

The appearance of the bridge has also changed over the years. It was originally painted red, later green, and eventually changed to the white colour it has today.

Expansion of the Van Brienenoordbrug

Increasing traffic soon made it clear that the original bridge did not have enough capacity. In 1986, construction began on a second parallel bridge, together with the widening of the surrounding roads.

To minimise disruption to shipping, the enormous arch for the second bridge was constructed in Zwijndrecht and later transported by water to Rotterdam. In 1989, it was positioned next to the original bridge.

The second Van Brienenoordbrug officially opened on 1 May 1990, significantly increasing the capacity of this important section of the A16 motorway.

Van Brienenoordbrug in numbers

One of Rotterdam’s main road connections

Today, the two Van Brienenoord bridges form one of Rotterdam’s most important road connections. Thousands of vehicles use this section of the A16 every day to cross the Nieuwe Maas between the northern and southern parts of the region.

Besides its importance for road traffic, the bridge is also part of the industrial and maritime landscape of eastern Rotterdam. Good views of its enormous arches and passing ships can be found from the nearby Van Brienenoord island.

Watch our video below for more images of the Van Brienenoordbrug and the surrounding area.

Discover other bridges in Rotterdam

De Hef | Erasmusbrug | Koninginnebrug | Luchtsingel | Maastunnel | Regentessebrug | Rijnhavenbrug | Willemsbrug