Prinses Irenesluizen, Lock system in Wijk bij Duurstede, Netherlands.
Prinses Irenesluizen is a two-chamber lock system near Wijk bij Duurstede that connects large inland vessels between the Lek River and the Diefdijk Canal. The western chamber measures roughly 350 meters in length and 18 meters in width, while the eastern chamber spans around 260 meters by 24 meters.
Construction began in 1937 under engineer J.P. Josephus Jitta, but World War II delayed completion until 1952. The project was part of efforts to modernize inland navigation routes and improve connections between Amsterdam harbor and German waterways.
The locks bear the name of Princess Irene of the Netherlands, connecting maritime infrastructure to the Dutch royal heritage through this dedication.
The locks operate around the clock and allow vessels to communicate for passage coordination. Visitors can observe the facility from the shore, where ships typically use VHF channel 22 to request passage instructions.
In 2018, the locks facilitated the passage of 31,832 vessels, demonstrating their critical role in connecting the Amsterdam harbor to German waterways.
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