Leppa Akwadukt, Navigable aqueduct in Boarnsterhim, Netherlands
The Leppa Akwadukt is a navigable aqueduct near Akkrum that carries the A32 highway across the Boorne river with four traffic lanes. The design allows boats to travel through a water channel beneath the road while vehicles move above without interference.
The aqueduct was built between 1993 and 1996 and solved a long-standing challenge of how to add a major highway over an important waterway. Its completion allowed direct travel that previously required detours.
The structure shows Dutch skill in managing water while keeping a major road open between two cities. It represents how the Netherlands solves the practical challenge of balancing traffic and water management in a crowded landscape.
The structure is visible from the banks and can be viewed from various points, especially along towpaths and walking trails. Visiting from both the shore and by boat helps you understand how the design works.
The aqueduct uses a special synthetic film technique to seal against groundwater and control water levels in the surrounding polder landscape with precision. This method was innovative when built and engineers study it as a case study for similar water projects.
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