Hefbrug Waddinxveen, Vertical-lift bridge in Waddinxveen, Netherlands.
Hefbrug Waddinxveen is a vertical-lift bridge crossing the Gouwe River, characterized by two conical steel towers that guide the deck during its upward movement. The span measures 25 meters wide and rises to 35 meters when fully raised to allow water traffic through.
Construction took place between 1935 and 1936 under N.V. De Vries Robbé & Co as part of a waterway improvement scheme linking Amsterdam to Rotterdam. This infrastructure project reshaped the modernization of regional water connections.
The structure displays crafted details such as yellow brick foundations, a copper-roofed keeper's house, and light blue glazed brick walls along the pedestrian path. These elements shape how locals and visitors perceive the bridge as a defining landmark of the town.
The location is easily accessible and offers a practical passage for both pedestrians and vehicles. Keep in mind that the bridge operates on a schedule, so crossings may be interrupted temporarily when it raises for water traffic.
Since September 2012, the bridge has been remotely operated from a control center in Alphen aan den Rijn following a comprehensive overhaul. This automation investment of 7.4 million euros marked a turning point in how the structure is managed.
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