Giessenbrug, bridge in Rotterdam, Netherlands
The Giessenbrug is a road bridge in Rotterdam built in 1967 with three movable sections that can open to allow ships to pass on the Delfshavense Schie waterway. The structure connects two busy parts of the city and is controlled from a tower on top of the bridge, where operators manage both vehicle and ship traffic.
The Giessenbrug was built in 1967 when Rotterdam was rapidly expanding its road network and needed new bridges to handle growing vehicle traffic. In the 1990s, parts of the bridge were modernized with new control systems, and later the ship passage function was discontinued.
The Giessenbrug is a traffic crossing in Rotterdam that shapes the daily rhythm of the city and is used intensely by commuters and residents. The bridge shows how traffic and waterways merge in the urban landscape and structure the everyday life of many people.
The bridge is part of the A20 highway and connects Giessenweg street, but is currently under reconstruction and not open to traffic. Visitors should check available detour routes to navigate the area.
The structure is a bascule bridge with three hinged sections that lift up to make room for ships, though this function has not been used since 2017. A new fixed concrete structure is planned to replace this outdated mechanism.
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