Amsterdam Bridge reopens after nearly 5 years
Waterfront footbridge returns to public use following detailed structural rehab. A gift from Amsterdam in 1974.
The Amsterdam Bridge, a beloved waterfront crossing that's been closed since 2021 for safety repairs, reopened Sunday to residents and visitors eager to reclaim one of the city's best photo spots.
The steel cable footbridge, gifted to Toronto by the Mayor of Amsterdam in 1974 to mark the cities' twinning relationship, had fallen into disrepair. At a reopening ceremony Sunday, Mayor Olivia Chow said the rehab was no simple fix—it required precision, care, and patience, which is why it took nearly five years.
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik worked with stakeholders to fund the restoration plan, approved by city council last year. Malik said the work doesn't end with the bridge. The city intends to revitalize the surrounding waterfront area and make it a thriving community destination.
"It's where people stop to take in the view, where friends meet before a festival," said Tenio Evangelista, president of Harbourfront Centre. "I think it's fair to say this may be one of the best photo spots on Toronto's waterfront."
A bridge in Amsterdam was renamed after Toronto in 1974 to reciprocate the gesture. "Sometimes an old connection is worth every effort to maintain," said Marjan Schippers, the city's Dutch Consul General, noting the timing ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.