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Queen Emma Pontoon bridge

The pontoon bridge that connects Punda and Otrobanda, was completed in 1888, after years of discussions. Until then, the connection between the two city districts was provided by “yolas”; small ferries like the gondolas of Venice.

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Queen Emma Pontoon bridge

The pontoon bridge that connects Punda and Otrobanda, was completed in 1888, after years of discussions. Until then, the connection between the two city districts was provided by “yolas”; small ferries like the gondolas of Venice.

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In 1868 about 4,000 people crossed the St. Annabaai, in this manner daily. That year, Governor de Rouville launched the idea of building a bridge to connect Punda and Otrobanda.

This idea was met with fierce opposition. A fixed connection, as was argued, would hinder the passing of ships. Leonard Burlington Smith, the American consul in Curaçao thought about this and came up with a detailed plan for a floating bridge in 1886. A swinging pontoon bridge would give shipping unhindered passage and would give pedestrians the possibility to cross the St. Annabaai. In 1887 he gained final approval for his plans. On 30 April 1888 L.B. Smith wrote to Governor van den Brandhof that the work was ready to be inspected. The inauguration was scheduled for 8 May 1888. He also asked the governor to give an appropriate name to the bridge. It was named the “Koningin Emma Brug.” The bridge was nicknamed “Swinging Old Lady” and “Pontoon Bridge” and became one of the most extraordinary landmarks of Curaçao. The 1888 bridge had wooden pontoons and was in many ways an extension of the Breedestraat in Punda to the Breedestraat in Otrobanda. Later, the bridge was moved 18 meters further south.

Up to 1900, maintenance of the bridge was a responsibility of L.B. Smith.

Up to 1900, maintenance of the bridge was a responsibility of L.B. Smith.

Nowadays Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) is the maintenance officer. With the opening of the Juliana Bridge in 1974, the Emma Bridge was closed to all vehicles.


Publicatie:
The Centennial of the Queen Emmabridge (1988) - N.C. Römer-Kenepa
Come and meet me on the Potoonbridge (2005) - G. Isenia-Francisca