Erasmusbrug, Cable-stayed bridge in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Erasmusbrug is a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Nieuwe Maas in Rotterdam, stretching 802 meters with a 139-meter asymmetrical steel pylon. Forty steel cables support the roadway, while a bascule section in the northern part allows tall ships to pass.
Architect Ben van Berkel designed the bridge, which opened in 1996 to link northern and southern Rotterdam. Its construction marked a turning point in the city's development after postwar reconstruction.
Locals call the structure De Zwaan or The Swan because of its curved silhouette. The name honors Desiderius Erasmus, a Renaissance humanist born in Rotterdam in the 16th century.
Separate pathways let pedestrians and cyclists cross alongside motor traffic. The bascule section usually opens at night or on request, so delays are rare during daytime hours.
Engineers added extra shock dampers after opening because strong winds caused noticeable movement. This adjustment greatly improved stability and calmed the roadway during storms.
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