Nigtevecht bridge

This exceptional unique location stands out from the other crossings over the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal because of its cultural and historic significance. This is the point where the Defence Line of Amsterdam (UNESCO world heritage site since 1996) and the New Dutch Waterline meet each other. This scenic and military cultural history primarily relates to earth-moving and flooding, which is represented in all aspects of the bridge’s design.

Open integration

The project is based on the notion that the experience of the landscape and the bridge bears a similarity to the military objective of maintaining a clear view of the surrounding area. The absolute openness of the object in the landscape has maximised its integration into the landscape and minimised the visual impact of the bridge.

Earthwork

Because of the open fenland and the lines of sight, compact embankments were chosen that owe their design language to the defence constructions. They provide space for access ramps and ensure a very pleasant, accessible, and safe and secure route to go to the top and down again. The embankments prevent fragmentation of the historical landscape and the farmland and accommodate the new ecological stepping stones.

Robust character

The structural effort required to achieve the span has an interesting relationship with the relatively small load on bridge, and this interplay is reflected in the chosen form of the bridge. The main load-bearing structure and the deck are unembellished and clearly connected which makes the whole easily readable and extremely elegant despite its civil engineering appearance. The fitness for purpose and consistency shown here are in the best Dutch tradition of civil engineering work.

  • commission: Best Value Procurement Tender
  • client: Boskalis
  • structural & landscape consultant: Witteveen+Bos
  • program: bridge
  • design: 2015