Overtoomsesluis to be closed for 7 months: severe traffic disruptions expected between West and the City Center

Large-scale repair work on the historic bridge over the Kostverlorenvaart will result in detours, tram route changes, and longer travel times through May of next year.

The brick bridge keeper’s house at the Overtoomsesluis on the Kostverlorenvaart in Amsterdam-West. — Alf van Beem - Own work, Public Domain

Raul Gavira

– Staff Writer

· September 16, 2026

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The well-known Overtoom Lock will be closed to all car and tram traffic from September 16 through May 1, 2027. This important route connecting Amsterdam-West and the city center is in poor condition and is undergoing a seven-month renovation.

The lock has been unable to open since 2025 and was temporarily supported by an emergency structure. That structure is now being removed to allow passage for a massive bridge section intended for the widening of the A10 South. As soon as this inland vessel has passed, repair work on the Overtoom Lock will begin.

The metal nameplate of the Overtoom Lock mounted on the green bridge railing in Amsterdam. — Alf van Beem – Own work, Public Domain

Disruptions for cars, public transit, and cyclists

🚗 Motorists: Take a detour via the Zeilbrug or Kinkerbrug. Allow for at least 15 minutes of extra travel time.
🚋 Trams 1 & 13: Tram 1 will skip the Jan Pieter Heijestraat/Overtoom stop; passengers should take an alternate route to Constantijn Huygensstraat (a 10-minute walk). Starting September 30, tram 13 will stop at Jan Pieter Heijestraat.
🚴 Cyclists & Pedestrians: Pedestrians will still be able to pass through. Between September 28 and February 28 , cyclists will be rerouted in phases , depending on the direction of travel.