The swinging old lady

"THE SWINGING OLD LADY" in Curaçao

OFFICIAL RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE QUEEN EMMA BRIDGE

The festive program for this opening on May 12th in Willemstad was long and impressive.

The device was: "Come towards me on the Pontoonbridge"

The opening started at 15.30 hours with music, national anthems and many "speeches of joy" of CPA (Curaçao Port Authority), HCCC (the contractor), the ambassador of the EU, the manager of DOS (Department of Development), the Deputy of Infrastructure, the Prime Minister and the Governor. The last two officially opened the bridge - one walked from the Otrabanda side and the other from the Punda side - right in the middle.

The queen of youth Karnaval's Tumba 2006, Boy Dap, the groups of the Seú and Karnaval and the Brass Band Cheerleaders in beautiful coloured clothing followed.

The whole official ceremony lasted until 19.00 hours and now the bridge has been opened for the public after 9 months of hard work. All this time the people had to cross by ferry or make a detour across the Queen Juliana bridge (the high bridge in the background).

A toast on the terrace of Hotel Otrabanda for invitees and amazing fireworks completed this wonderful show.

Thousands of people attended the opening and immediately used the "New Swinging Old Lady" as one of the local newspapers called the restored bridge. The Ekki decking from our sawmills in Cameroon and Kampen, Holland, the laminated Iroko for the sleepers, the balusters and the flagpoles together made it a splendid new bridge again.

Our company has collaborated well with everyone from main contractor HCCC (Harbour Civiel Curaçao Construction; affiliate of Janssen en de Jong Caribian), DOS (Departement van Ontwikkelingssamenwerking), Curaçao Port Authority, HPB Advice & Finance, Recreatie en Watermanagement L. van de Meer, ingenieursbureau WSP London / Ascon Curaçao, Heuvelman-Ibis, De Boer en de Groot and the European Union in Georgetown Guyana / EOF (European Development Fund).

A historical and unique bridge to be proud of.