The more than 70-year-old bridge was at the end of its life: the mechanisms were so outdated that there are regular malfunctions, which caused delays. The charming white drawbridge is the only connection across the Vecht in Breukelen and especially in summer it was very busy because pedestrians, cyclists, cars and pleasure boats around the Vecht all wanted to use the bridge.
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The old bridge was dismantled, the foundation replaced and the new bridge built in a workshop. Cyclists and pedestrians could use a movable pontoon bridge during the work; motorized traffic was diverted. It was remarkable that the local firefighters also made use of the pontoons: they temporarily went out on e-bikes to the temporary fire station on the other side of the Vecht, because that was the fastest route.
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As of today, Saturday 2 April, everyone can use the renovated bridge again. The appearance is pretty much stayed the samealthough the design would be slightly more like the historic bridge as it was before 1951.
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The drawbridge is also known as the Dutch Brooklyn Bridge† Although the Brooklyn district is named after Breukelen, the world-famous bridge in New York has nothing to do with the Vechtbrug. Nevertheless, the bridge in Breukelen is invariably popular with American tourists who visit Breukelen.
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