We recently took a return trip to Willemstad, Curacao from 9/10
through 9/17 2005.  We noticed that the Queen Emma floating pontoon
bridge was not in the water while we were there.  We were unable to
find out what had happened to it during our trip and also noticed that
ferrys are now available fr crossing from one side of town to the
other.  I'm wondering what happened to the bridge?

Dear e3inman,

In the past years, the condition of the famous bridge had become worse
and worse. The road surface was damaged, and the steel elements
suffered from heavy corrosion. Therefore, the bridge was completely
disassebled in mid-2005 for extensive restoration which will be
finished in April 2006. Then, the restored bridge will be assembled
again. The total cost of the restoration is estimated at 4.5 milliom
Euros.

Hope this answers your question!
Regards,
Scriptor

Source:
Wikipedia: Koningin Emmabrug (in Dutch)
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koningin_Emmabrug

Thank you so much!!!  It was driving me crazy not knowing what had
happened to the bridge.