BRABANT FIGHTS AGAINST WATER
Volkerakdam and Hellegatsplein
During
the same period working the Grevelingsdam. Engineers of Rijkswaterstaat are
preparing a few kilometres away a new project.
With all efforts they are working on the closure of the Volkerak and the
construction of improved roads and bridges.
Rijkswaterstaat is performing this study to get the right balance in water.
The advantages are a disposal of the ice during the winter. There is also
an improvement of the traffic situation in the Zeeland waters.
These are the most important arguments to build this barrier.
The
activities on the Volkerakdam and Hellegatsplein are completed in 1969. Now in
the year 2000 the road connection between the border of Hollands Diep and
Haringvliet are very important for the traffic between Noord-Brabant and
randstad Holland.
The realization of the causeway covering the
Hellegatsplaten to Goeree-Overflakkee, over a distance of 4,5 kilometer,
performed according plan.
The
work proceeded well due to the fact that tidal currents are now not existing
anymore.
in June 1958 specialized dredging contractors start with filling bases for the
bridges. There is only a small opening left [ The Ventjagersgat ] but the
opening is also closed in February 1959.
At
the beginning of 1959 the bridge over the Haringvliet was completed.
After working very hard for years battling the elements there is finally a fast
connection between the mainland of
the province of Zuid-Holland and the isle of
Goeree-Overflakkee.
In
order to make the bridge cost efficient and for the general maintenance there
was a toll charged for the first ten years.
After the first 10 year the government will take over responsibility of the
bridge and maintain it properly.
The
Volkerak is very busy navigable water in Holland with allows for a very special
approach once considering activities to hamper the traffic.
Because it was part of the Schelde-Rijn channel Belgium is also involved in the
planning for this operation.
During the construction shipping traffic can not be restricted and therefore
locks were build for the ships with large dimensions
A
total of 3 locks were build
with a length of 320 meters and a width of 24 meters.
The construction of the locks started in
July 1960. The cost was estimated to be 2,5 million Dutch Guilders. In 1965 the
bridge and the locks are ready.
The
volkerak locks.
Hereafter
the barrier in the Volkerak was build.
This barrier was closed with the same principle used at the
Veerse gat.
In
1969 it is the moment.........the Volkerak is ready!!!
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