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
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