Prins Willem-Alexanderbrug, Cable-stayed steel bridge in Neder-Betuwe, Netherlands
The Prins Willem-Alexanderbrug is a cable-stayed steel bridge that crosses the Rhine River, connecting Beneden-Leeuwen and Wamel. The structure stretches approximately 1,400 meters and is supported by distinctive cables radiating from tall towers.
The bridge opened in 1974 and marked a milestone in Dutch infrastructure development as one of the first concrete cable-stayed bridges in the Netherlands. It provided a crucial transportation link across the Rhine that had not existed before.
The bridge takes its name from King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, following a Dutch custom of naming major structures after members of the royal family. This connection reflects how important infrastructure becomes part of national identity.
The bridge is open daily for vehicle traffic and serves as a direct crossing for cars and trucks between the two riverbanks. Visitors can view the structure from a vehicle or pause briefly at the nearby riverbanks for a closer look.
The bridge rises approximately 57 meters above the water, spanning between two distinct riverbanks using innovative construction methods from the 1970s. This height was necessary to allow river traffic to pass safely while maintaining the road connection above.
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