Oostbrug delayed again — not before 2034, ferries stay the crossing

The Oostbrug — part of Sprong over het IJ — remains a long-term promise for cyclists and pedestrians across the IJ. On 19 November 2025 another delay surfaced: a fixed cycling and pedestrian bridge across the IJ is not expected before 2034. For anyone who travels daily between the centre and Amsterdam-Noord, the Oostbrug delay means GVB ferries stay the primary crossing for years to come. Costs are rising, procedures are sticky, and new participation rounds are planned before a fixed bridge comes into view. Travellers who want the current picture of IJ traffic can follow summaries on Ferry and in the news index.

What the Oostbrug delay means for IJ crossings

Until the Oostbrug arrives, eastern IJ ferries remain the practical link for cyclists and pedestrians between the centre and Noord. Eastern landings such as Zeeburgereiland stay relevant for anyone who cannot count on a fixed bridge. Every debate about rush-hour crowding plays out against a bridge timeline that keeps sliding. Frequency, capacity, and reliability of the ferries matter more while there is no fixed bike-and-walk bridge. The Oostbrug delay until after 2034 makes that reliance on the boats explicit for the years ahead.

Capacity, crew, and fleet stay pinch points without a fixed bridge

Without a fixed bridge, pinch points on the water stay visible: crowding, crew, and fleet. The skipper shortage hits the timetable harder when there is no alternative fixed crossing. Plans for new electric ferries are about capacity and sustainability on the water, not about a fixed bridge. The GVB ferry contract 2026–2036 sets the frame for how ferries keep running in the coming years. For riders between the centre and Noord, the Oostbrug delay therefore means: count on the ferry, not on a bridge before 2034. Figures on IJ traffic and crowding are on the ferry statistics page.

Planned works and events keep loading the ferries extra while the Oostbrug is still years away. Pier renovations, such as at the NDSM stop, hit routes that are already busy. Major events such as SAIL 2025 show how fragile the water link is when boats stop. For anyone travelling from Noord to Centraal Station, the ferry remains the shortest water route — even without the Oostbrug. It pays to check live GVB updates and, where useful, use a ferry app for departure times.

Pont is not an official GVB product; this article is a factual summary for travellers based on public reporting. Opening of the Oostbrug before 2034 is no longer expected according to reports from late 2025. Until then, IJ ferries remain the primary crossing for cyclists and pedestrians between the centre and Noord. Follow updates via the news index and the Amsterdam-Noord page for context on the crossing. Always check live GVB updates for service changes on eastern IJ routes.