Toronto bridge abandoned for years finally reopens this weekend
A key bridge located along Toronto's central waterfront is finally reopening this weekend after years of inactivity.
The Amsterdam Bridge, which provides a direct link to Harbourfront Centre's 10-acre campus, is a steel cable footbridge that was gifted to the City of Toronto by the Mayor of Amsterdam to mark the recognition of the twin cities in 1974.
At the same time, former Toronto Mayor David Crombie also visited Amsterdam, where a bridge crossing the Amstel River was renamed as Torontobrug, or the Toronto Bridge.
For years before it was shuttered, the bridge served as a key connection between Harbourfront Centre and Amsterdam Brewhouse (just south of Lower Simcoe and Rees Streets), and was even featured in the 2002 romantic comedy classic, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
However, the connection point has been closed to the public since early 2021 due to disrepair and safety concerns.
Back in 2024, a spokesperson for the Harbourfront Centre told blogTO that the bridge required significant repairs before safely opening back up to the public.
"The cost to restore the bridge is prohibitive for Harbourfront Centre, considering our limited capital funds. Reopening it safely depends on the financial support of the City of Toronto," a spokesperson for the cultural organization said.
Following a condition assessment that was completed in 2025, the bridge was rehabilitated and reconnected piece by piece, through a partnership between the City of Toronto, Harbourfront Centre, and CreateTO, just a few weeks before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Toronto.
The Amsterdam Bridge officially reopens on Sunday, May 31, at 11:30 a.m.
CreateTO
