Gouwe aqueduct, Navigable aqueduct in Waddinxveen, Netherlands.
The Gouwe aqueduct is a navigable waterway in Waddinxveen that carries boats over the A12 highway. Below this water passage, vehicles continuously travel while boats move overhead without interruption.
The structure was built between 1975 and 1981 to replace an aging bascule bridge that had caused traffic problems. This new design allowed ships and vehicles to pass the location simultaneously without delays.
The structure reflects Dutch expertise in water management and shows how road and water transport coexist in the landscape. Visitors can observe daily how goods and people move on two separate levels within this engineered space.
The aqueduct is easily visible from nearby roads and paths, particularly when approaching from the A12 or Waddinxveen. The best views come from the waterway access points where you can observe the structure from both above and below.
Trains and cars can pass underneath while large cargo barges sail above, making it a rare combination in European transport infrastructure. This solution shows how Dutch engineers managed to integrate multiple transport types in minimal space.
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