Amsterdam - Port

From Amsterdam, majestic cruise ships depart for distant ports of call. While docked, these mighty ships are a spectacle for all to see.

Over 100 years ago people were looking at ways of linking Amsterdam with the opposite bank of the IJ in the north (link with North Holland). A tunnel was being thought of even at that time (plans for a suspension bridge are even older), since the ferries to and from North Holland caused considerable delays. For a long time, however, such plans were thought unrealistic, and it was not until the beginning of this century that the city council was prepared seriously to examine the idea of a tunnel. From 1930 to 1950 countless designs were discussed and rejected but it was finally decided to build a tunnel for road vehicles only. Cyclists and pedestrians still have to use the ferries. On 25 May 1955 the first pile was driven into the ground but the project was dogged by organizational and financial problems and it was years before the work was completed at a total cost of over 20million guilders. In October 1968 the tunnel was opened to traffic and brought great improvements in communications with North Holland.