Anno 1965: Europa’s langste brug ligt in Nederland

At 5,022 metres (16,476 feet) long, including 52 spans of 95 metres (312 feet), the Zeeland Bridge was for a long time the only easy north-south connection in the sunniest province of the Netherlands. It significantly shortens the journey between Zierikzee on the Schouwen-Duiveland peninsula and the cities of Goes, Middelburg and Vlissingen (Flushing) on the Zuid-Beveland peninsula.

By the 1960s, the ferries across the Oosterschelde (Eastern Scheldt) can no longer cope with the rapidly growing traffic. Much later than planned, in 1986, the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier (road N57) opens. Only then are the provincial capital of Zeeland and the country’s third-largest port properly connected.

Toll and salt water

For road users, this comes at a price. Until 1993, they have to pay a toll to use the bridge. That is longer than planned, because far fewer motorists use the bridge than the province had forecast. Apparently, Dutch drivers are not fond of an avoidable extra road tax.

The province had also miscalculated the construction and maintenance costs. The authorities assumed the Oosterschelde would become a freshwater body once the storm surge barrier was in place. But the water remained salty, which meant the bridge’s concrete had to be given additional protection at extra cost.

Double bascule bridge

By now, the bridge has been standing for quite some time, and around 10,000 cars cross it every day. Sometimes traffic has to pause on the northern section, because that is where the so-called double bascule bridge, with movable steel sections, opens about 4,000 times a year for taller vessels.

And it is precisely that bascule bridge in the Zeeland Bridge that will cause road users some inconvenience this autumn. It is being renovated, which means the traffic artery will have to close completely for several weekends and later even for six weeks. The Goes-Zierikzee journey will suddenly be 52 kilometres (32 miles) rather than 24 kilometres (14 miles) — via the Oosterschelde Storm Surge Barrier.

“Because of the bridge’s age, material fatigue and the increased number of heavy vehicles, cracks are appearing in the steel deck of the movable bridge,” the Province of Zeeland writes in a statement. The authorities are also immediately replacing the 26-year-old asphalt across the full length of the bridge, so that the connection will not need to be closed again for an extended period in the near future.

Bicycle or ambulance

This autumn, then, some commuters and tourists on Zeeland’s islands and peninsulas will face a considerable detour. Except for those who want — or need — to cross the Oosterschelde by bicycle or ambulance, because the Zeeland Bridge will remain open for emergency services and non-motorised two-wheelers.

Ultimately, what was once Europe’s longest bridge can stay in service beyond the previously expected year of 2035. With the renovations and further maintenance, the Province of Zeeland hopes to welcome professional drivers and leisure motorists to this historic icon until at least 2051.