Queen Juliana Bridge - Willemstad, Curacao
Posted by: 
Raven
N 12° 06.678 W 068° 55.915
19P E 507408 N 1338861
The Queen Juliana bridge is a four-lane road arch bridge crossing the St. Anna Bay in Willemstad, the capital of Curacao. Reaching a height of 56.4 m (185 ft) above the waterline at its apex, it is the highest bridge in the entire Caribbean.
Waymark Code: WMGM60
Location: Curaçao
Date Posted: 03/18/2013
Views: 17
The Queen Juliana bridge is a four-lane road arch bridge crossing the St. Anna Bay in Willemstad, the capital of Curacao. Reaching a height of 56.4 m (185 ft) above the waterline at its apex, it is the highest bridge in the entire Caribbean.
The bridge is 500 m (1,400 ft) long and weighs a total of 3,400 tons. It was opened in 1974 and named after Queen Juliana, who at that time was the reigning queen of the Kingdom of the Netherands.
The bridge was built to relieve a nearby century-old swinging pontoon bridge which was the only passageway across the inlet running right through the center of the capital, and which had to swung open to make way for ship traffic several times as day (as it still does to date, but is now only used for pedestrian traffic). Its height was carefully planned to allow any ship in the world of that era to sail underneath and enter Willemstad's commercial harbor of Schottegat.
Its construction began in the mid 1960's, starting on the Eastern shore. In 1967, just as the last section of the first half was being put in place, the entire structure collapsed and plunged into the water killing sixteen workers. The cause of the accident was never determined: some speculate it was metal fatigue, however many suspect fraud was involved with the Dutch subsidized funds in an attempt to build a cheaper bridge. Construction started once again two months later, this time starting from the Western shore.
The Queen Juliana bridge is intended for road traffic only as the wind and motion of the structure would make pedestrian or bicycle traffic far too dangerous. The view from its apex includes the entire panorama of the capital and is one of the highest vantage points on the island.
Length of bridge: 500 m
Height of bridge: 56.4 m
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: motor vehicles (four lane road)
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
St. Anna Bay (a seawater inlet)
Date constructed: 1974
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: yes
Name of road or trail the bridge services: Schottegatweg (also known as "Ringweg")
Location:
Willemstad, Curacao
|
Visit Instructions:
Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit. If the bridge location prevents you from taking a safe photograph, then please do not stop to take the photo. Safety is more important.