Erasmus Bridge
The Erasmus Bridge is a bridge in the city of Rotterdam. The bridge was the second bridge built over the Maas river. The bridge is named after Desiderius Erasmus who was born in Rotterdam.[3] The bridge connects the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam.[4] The bridge was designed by Ben van Berkel. Queen Beatrix opened the bridge in 1996.[4] The bridge is a 802-metre (2,631-foot) long cable-stayed bridge. It is 139 metres (456 ft) high. Between the pillar and the district "Kop Van Zuid" is a 89-metre (292-foot) long bascule Bridge (it lifts to allow ships to pass under it). The Erasmusbridge has the biggest and heaviest bascule bridge in Europe.[5] The bridge was used in events such as 2010 Tour de France, Rotterdam Marathon and The World Port Days.
Erasmus Bridge Erasmusbrug | |
|---|---|
 The Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam | |
| Coordinates | 51°54′33″N 4°29′12″E / 51.90917°N 4.48667°E |
| Carries | 2 tramway tracks, 4 traffic lanes, 2 cycle tracks, 2 sidewalks |
| Crosses | Nieuwe Maas |
| Locale | Rotterdam,  The Netherlands |
| Other name(s) | De Zwaan (The Swan) |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Steel and concrete |
| Total length | 802-metre (2,631 ft) |
| Width | 33.8-metre (111 ft) |
| Height | 139-metre (456 ft) |
| Longest span | 285-metre (935 ft) |
| No. of spans | 4 |
| Clearance below | 12.5-metre (41 ft) |
| History | |
| Designer | Ben van Berkel |
| Construction end | 1996 |
| Construction cost | € 165 million[1] (365 million Guilders)[2] |
| Location | |
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