The Municipal Executive has used the updated Memorandum of Principles ‘Sprong over the IJ’. This includes the proposal to build two bridges across the IJ: on the west side of the city between the Haparandadam and NDSM and on the east side between Azartplein and Johan van Hasseltweg. A pedestrian passage must also be created between Central Station and the Tolhuistuin. The plans are a first elaboration of the advice of the D’Hooghe Committee, of which both the central government and the Municipal Executive form a good basis for the follow-up process. From September 20 to October 31, residents of Amsterdam can give their opinion on the proposal.

Alderman Marieke van Doorninck (Spatial Development): “Every year, about 160,000 ships pass through the IJ and about 70,000 people take the ferry every day for the crossing. That pressure on the IJ will only increase in the coming years and the need to connect Amsterdam across the board is therefore undiminished. For more than a century, permanent cross-river connections across the IJ have been considered. It is now the first time that there is a proposal for two bridges and a tunnel that the government, the municipality and the other parties involved agree with. During the period I hope to hear from as many Amsterdammers as possible how they view these plans.”

Proposal for two bridges and a tunnel

A proposal is made for a bridge between Azartplein and Hamerkwartier, the ‘Oostbrug’. For the time being, the D’Hooghe committee is to realize an additional bridge over the IJhaven and a passage through potential. This is because of the great interests of entrepreneurs and residents, and because for the time being the improvement of the existing route to and from the future bridge. In addition, the proposal is to realize a bridge between the Haparandadam and the NDSM wharf (Westbrug). The aim is that both bridges are not only suitable for cyclists and pedestrians, but also for public transport. The effect of public transport over the bridges for area development at the NDSM and in the Hamerkwartier is currently being further investigated. Whether or not public transport is feasible for the bridges will be part of the final decision that is expected to be submitted to the council early next year. For pedestrians who currently still use the ferries between Central Station and Buiksloterweg, a pedestrian passage under the IJ at that location should become an alternative.

Amendment decision from 2017

The council’s proposal is an update of the preferential decision Jump over the IJ that was taken by the city council in 2017. In this design proposal there was a bridge from the Kop van Java to the north, but an impasse arose between the municipality of Amsterdam and Rijk regarding the integration of this ‘Java bridge’. The D’Hooghe Committee has been appointed to break through this impasse. All parties involved (the central government, the Province of North Holland, Central Nautical Management, Port of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Transport Region) have indicated that they see the advice as a good basis for the follow-up.

Participation and follow-up

Residents and residents can give a commentary response from 20 September to 31 October. See www.amsterdam.nl/sprongoverhetij for more information and dates of various information meetings. The municipality still has to approve the plans after the consultation period. The final preferential decision is scheduled for the first quarter of 2022.