The Sluisbrug in Weesp, which links the old centre with the Herengracht, will stay shut until December, and its sudden closure has angered residents and businesses.
The bridge was closed to cars, cyclists and pedestrians on 21 September for repair work.
Business owners in the centre were told only three days beforehand, local paper Weespernieuws reported.
At a committee meeting earlier this week, the business association for traders in the old centre said they had no say in the plans and that visitor numbers had fallen.
The traders would like cyclists and pedestrians to be allowed across at weekends, and they are asking for compensation.
Board also kept in the dark
Weesp’s local executive board did not know about the closure either.
Board member Katinka Hilders told the meeting that the board did not want anything like this to happen again.
To avoid a repeat, the board will draw up a list of works planned for the coming period.
The district will also look into whether pedestrians can use the bridge at weekends and whether businesses can be given support.
Curious who makes these decisions? Read our guide to how Amsterdam and its districts are run.