Queen Juliana Bridge, Bascule bridge in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.
Queen Juliana Bridge is a bascule bridge spanning the Oude Rijn with two movable sections that rise to let boats pass underneath. The structure connects both sides of the river and serves both vehicle traffic above and water traffic below.
The bridge was built in the 1950s and named after Queen Juliana, who ruled the Netherlands from 1948 until her abdication in 1980. It was constructed during a period when many modern infrastructure projects were underway in the country.
The bridge bears the name of the Dutch queen and connects two parts of town where people walk and meet regularly. For locals, it serves as an everyday crossing point that also features in community gatherings.
The bridge is open daily for traffic and the lifting mechanism is regularly maintained to ensure smooth operation. Visitors should note that boats pass through at scheduled times, which may cause brief delays for vehicles.
In 2015, two construction cranes collapsed during renovation work, which led to reinforced safety measures. This incident highlighted how important regular inspections and maintenance are for such technical structures.
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