Part of the Schinkelbrug bridge consists of two bridges for road traffic managed by Rijkswaterstaat (bridges 2 and 10, see the image further below). These are bascule bridges that open and close by means of a rotating axle. It is precisely this mechanism that is no longer functioning properly (see boxed text). This is not a problem as long as the bridge remains closed; road traffic can pass safely and smaller vessels can pass underneath without difficulty. For taller vessels, however, this is a major problem. It is also an issue for Zuidasdok, now that materials need to be transported by water that are too large and heavy to be moved by road. To address this latter issue, Zuidasdok and construction consortium TriAX (BESIX, Dura Vermeer and Heijmans) are currently carrying out additional repair works on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat. Unfortunately, the route remains closed to tall vessels.
Mechanical defect
The large movable part on which the road surface of the A10 Zuid will be located is called a deck. When the bridge opens, an electric engine in the bridge basement turns a three-metre-high cogwheel. This wheel moves the steel bridge deck via a shaft. The shafts of the two existing road bridges (bridges 2 and 10) were found to no longer be in suitable condition to safely open and close the bridge on a regular basis. As a result, the drive and movement mechanism has been taken out of operation since 1 May 2025.
Temporary solution
To allow the bridge to open for construction transport, we are making several adjustments. For example, we are repairing crucial bolt connections and have adjusted the mechanism so that it operates more slowly. This reduces the forces released when the bridge opens and closes and therefore puts less strain on the mechanism. This is not a permanent solution, but it is safe enough to open the bridge in strictly necessary situations for Zuidasdok construction works.
2026: transport for two new bridges
In the coming years, the Schinkelbrug will increase in size, from five bridges today to eight bridges in 2031: five for road traffic, two for trains, and one for the metro. We will first build a new bridge on the northern side (bridge 1) and then on the southern side (bridge 9) of the current Schinkelbrug. These will also be bascule bridges. The movable steel bridge deck of the new southern bridge will arrive by water at the end of April or early May 2026. The bridge deck for the new northern bridge will follow in autumn 2026.
2027: replacement of the southern bridge
In 2027, the new southern bridge in the direction of the A1 Hengelo/A2 Utrecht will first be used temporarily as a bypass, because the adjacent bridge 10 will be demolished. This will cause significant disruption to shipping traffic. We will then construct two new bridges (bridges 7 and 8) on the foundations of bridge 10. The new bridges will be needed when we widen the A10 Zuid by adding two additional lanes in each direction for local traffic. One bridge will carry through-traffic, while the other will carry local traffic. Both bridges will be taken into use in 2031. At that point, this new parallel road structure on the southern side will be complete – including a cycle path across the Schinkelbrug.
2028: northern bridge taken out of service
After carrying out adjustments to restore the movement mechanism, we will fully renovate bridge 2 in the direction of the A4 Schiphol and the A10 West Leeuwarden/Zaanstad (four lanes). For this work, the bridge will be completely closed to both road traffic and shipping traffic during the summer of 2028. During this period, road traffic will use the new northern bridge (two lanes) that we are currently constructing next to it. From no later than 2028, this bridge will therefore function as a bypass. This is necessary because we will separate the motorway into lanes for through-traffic and local traffic here as well.
Staande Mastroute
Because the Schipholbrug bridge and the Buitenhuizerbrug bridge are closed at the same time, no alternative route is currently available for vessels whose mast height exceeds the clearance height of the bridges. Up-to-date information on bridge operations, planned and unplanned closures and disruption on the waterways can be found on the website Fairway information (Vaarweginformatie).
Temporary bridge control cabin
Operation of the Schinkel bridge currently takes place from a temporary control hut next to the Nieuwe Meersluis building. In autumn 2027, bridge operation will move to the Nieuwe Meersluis building and operators will start working with the new control system.
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