Aqueduct Veluwemeer, Navigable aqueduct in Harderwijk, Netherlands
Aqueduct Veluwemeer is a navigable aqueduct in Harderwijk that carries boats across a highway, linking the Veluwemeer with the Drontermeer. The concrete trough holds a constant layer of water, allowing vessels to pass safely above road traffic.
The structure was built in the early 2000s to allow boat traffic between two lakes without interrupting road traffic. Engineers chose this solution because a conventional bridge would have obstructed the flow between water bodies.
The structure represents Dutch engineering excellence in water management, connecting mainland Netherlands with Flevoland through an innovative water passage system.
The passage is designed for boats with shallow drafts and remains open throughout the year. Visitors can observe the structure from the shores or drive underneath it when crossing the road.
The solution reverses the usual relationship between water and traffic, placing boats where bridges would normally stand. Drivers beneath the canal sometimes see boat hulls gliding overhead through the glass walls.
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