The Maeslantkering is situated in the Nieuwe Waterweg near Rotterdam.
The construction was built for keeping the seawater out. The Netherlands is a country below sea level. Dunes and dikes protect most parts. Sometimes the water level is too high and the dikes can't hold back the water. Large parts of the country are flooded with all terrible consequences.
In 1997 these two doors where closed for the first time. it is the intention only to close these doorswhen the tide is extremely high (about 3.20 meters above normal sea level).
Normaly the doors are opened to let the ships pass to Rotterdam harbour.
The doors of the project are parts of a circle. Hollow and float on the water. When placed in the middle of the river, the doors are filled with water and they will sink a little and close down the river for seawater.
Some facts.
Length of the arms closing the doors: 237 meters each (as high as the Eiffeltower in Paris)
Width of the water to close: 360 meters
Depth of the water: 17 meters
If you want to know more about the closing of the bridge, use this link to connect to a different site on the Internet.
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