Netherlands Calls Off Dismantling Rotterdam Bridge For Jeff Bezos’ Yacht

In February this year, Rotterdam’s De Hef bridge made the news when reports emerged that the city may have agreed to dismantle the nearly century-old landmark for Jeff Bezos’ mega-yacht to pass through.

Now, the Dutch company building the ship—which is is said to cost an astonishing US$500 million—has revealed it has no plans to request permission from city officials to remove the middle section of the bridge.

Trouw, a publication in the country, said that Oceano had been so taken aback by the uproar months ago that it abandoned prior plans, with shipyard workers fearing the yacht could be vandalized as it passed through. 

As per NL Times, the old railroad bridge had been one of the first structures to be restored after the city was destroyed by German forces in World War II, which could explain why locals were so adamant about not destroying the integrity of the bridge at any cost. 

In fact, in a jab at the request, resident Pablo Strömann had launched a Facebook event in jest inviting locals to throw eggs at the yacht when it was passing through the bridge, but removed the event after thousands indicated they would actually show up to such an event. 

At the time, Marcel Walravens, Rotterdam Council Project Leader, had justified the special effort for Bezos by saying the construction of the yacht was “a very important project” for the city’s economy, though the backlash may have sent officials scurrying to look for alternatives.

How will Bezos’ enormous yacht make it through to the ocean? The company is currently keeping mum, though residents of Rotterdam are in no doubt eager to see how the feat will be pulled off without ruffling any more feathers. 

[via Dutch News and NL Times, cover image via Tjeerd Kruse | Dreamstime.com]