Minister opposes Amsterdam pedestrian bridge over IJ river

Plans for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the IJ river in Amsterdam, can not count on support from Dutch public works department Rijkswaterstaat or Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure and Environment, ANP reports.

The bridge is intended to connect Java island and neighborhood Noord. But according to the Rijkswaterstaat, such a bridge would hinder boating traffic. A tunnel would be a better idea.

Minister Schultz sent a letter to responsible alderman, Eric van der Burg, to the same affect, her spokesperson confirmed to ANP that she is "not happy" with the plan to build the bridge.

The alderman has not yet been able to respond. "2,500 responses were received. It will take at least a few weeks before there is a response from the municipality", his spokesperson said to the news wire.