The Veluwemeer Aqueduct, located near Harderwijk, Netherlands, stands as a unique feat of modern engineering. Unlike traditional bridges that carry vehicles over water, this ingenious structure functions in reverse. It’s a waterway that allows boats to travel over a highway!
With a daily traffic flow of 28,000 cars, constructing a conventional drawbridge or ferry service would have caused significant traffic congestion on the busy N302 highway. Tunneling beneath the lake was deemed too expensive. As traffic engineer Anne Wegman observes, “The Veluwemeer Aqueduct offered a creative and cost-effective solution, prioritizing both functionality and minimal disruption to the existing infrastructure.”
Today, the Aqueduct serves as a vital transportation link and a popular tourist attraction. Visitors marvel at the engineering marvel, where boats glide serenely above a busy highway.
