Rotterdam is set to partly dismantle historic bridge for Jeff Bezos’ $485 million superyacht

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By Carina Murphy

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A historic steel bridge will be partly dismantled to make way for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' superyacht.

Local authorities in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam announced that the iconic Koningshaven Bridge - which dates all the way from 1878 - will be partly taken apart so that Bezos' $485 million yacht can pass through.

The three-masted pleasure barge is currently under construction in an Alblasserdam shipyard just outside of Rotterdam. Builders have asked the local council for permission to remove the bridge's central section so that the yacht can pass through to open water.

"It's the only route to the sea," said a spokesperson for the mayor of Rotterdam per The Guardian.

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Credit: Dmitry Rukhlenko - Travel Photos / Alamy

They added that Bezos - who, with an estimated net worth of over $176 billion was crowned the richest man in the world last year - will foot the bill for the bridge's dismantling.

Koningshaven Bridge is known locally as De Hef, and has a rich and storied history dating back to the 1870s.

Originally a swing bridge, it was redesigned as a lift bridge after the first world war and destroyed by Nazi bombing in 1940.

After WWII, it was one of the first works of art in the city to be restored and remains a popular landmark for locals.

In order for Bezos's boat to pass through the city, officials plan to remove the middle section of the steel-girdered bridge so that the 40-meter superyacht may pass through it. The operation is scheduled to take place over several weeks this summer.

Unsurprisingly, many locals are angry about the scheme - especially since the local council announced it would never again dismantle De Hef after a major renovation in 2017.

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Credit: Sipa US / Alamy

Some are even planning on expressing their annoyance by throwing eggs at Bezos' superyacht as it is towed through the city.

A Facebook event calling for "all Rotterdamers" to egg the yacht "en masse" has been become hugely popular, with over 5,400 people having expressed interest in it, MailOnline reports.

Organiser Pablo Strörmann has set the date for June 1 - the day the boat is due to sail through Rotterdam.

"Take a box of (rotten) eggs with you and let's throw them en masse at Jeff's superyacht when it sails through De Hef in Rotterdam," reads the event page.

"Rotterdam was built from the rubble by the people of Rotterdam, and we don't just take that apart for the phallus symbol of a megalomaniac billionaire. Not without a fight" it adds.

Featured Image Credit: Erik Pendzich / Alamy

Rotterdam is set to partly dismantle historic bridge for Jeff Bezos’ $485 million superyacht

vt-author-image

By Carina Murphy

Article saved!Article saved!

A historic steel bridge will be partly dismantled to make way for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' superyacht.

Local authorities in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam announced that the iconic Koningshaven Bridge - which dates all the way from 1878 - will be partly taken apart so that Bezos' $485 million yacht can pass through.

The three-masted pleasure barge is currently under construction in an Alblasserdam shipyard just outside of Rotterdam. Builders have asked the local council for permission to remove the bridge's central section so that the yacht can pass through to open water.

"It's the only route to the sea," said a spokesperson for the mayor of Rotterdam per The Guardian.

wp-image-1263143648 size-full
Credit: Dmitry Rukhlenko - Travel Photos / Alamy

They added that Bezos - who, with an estimated net worth of over $176 billion was crowned the richest man in the world last year - will foot the bill for the bridge's dismantling.

Koningshaven Bridge is known locally as De Hef, and has a rich and storied history dating back to the 1870s.

Originally a swing bridge, it was redesigned as a lift bridge after the first world war and destroyed by Nazi bombing in 1940.

After WWII, it was one of the first works of art in the city to be restored and remains a popular landmark for locals.

In order for Bezos's boat to pass through the city, officials plan to remove the middle section of the steel-girdered bridge so that the 40-meter superyacht may pass through it. The operation is scheduled to take place over several weeks this summer.

Unsurprisingly, many locals are angry about the scheme - especially since the local council announced it would never again dismantle De Hef after a major renovation in 2017.

wp-image-1263113398 size-full
Credit: Sipa US / Alamy

Some are even planning on expressing their annoyance by throwing eggs at Bezos' superyacht as it is towed through the city.

A Facebook event calling for "all Rotterdamers" to egg the yacht "en masse" has been become hugely popular, with over 5,400 people having expressed interest in it, MailOnline reports.

Organiser Pablo Strörmann has set the date for June 1 - the day the boat is due to sail through Rotterdam.

"Take a box of (rotten) eggs with you and let's throw them en masse at Jeff's superyacht when it sails through De Hef in Rotterdam," reads the event page.

"Rotterdam was built from the rubble by the people of Rotterdam, and we don't just take that apart for the phallus symbol of a megalomaniac billionaire. Not without a fight" it adds.

Featured Image Credit: Erik Pendzich / Alamy