Water bridge: the original engineering structure on which ships sail

Bridges are not only automobile, railway and pedestrian, but also water. They are built for ships. Water bridges are part of navigable canals that cross highways or other water bodies, rivers or canal sections. If the river and the channel pass at different heights, their cross connection is impossible due to different water levels. Therefore, to cross a water obstacle, it is necessary to build an aqueduct. Despite the engineering complexity of such structures, they began to be built in the Middle Ages, and one of the oldest functioning water bridges was built in France at the beginning of the 17th century. Today we will talk about several water bridges in the world.

Moscow Navigation Bridge, Russia

This waterway is a section of the Moscow Canal between the 7th and 8th locks that crosses the Volokolamsk highway. Its construction began in 1932, and the transport routes under it were repeatedly rebuilt and modernized.

Pontkisillte Aqueduct, UK

This engineering marvel was built in 1805 in just 10 years. A water bridge connected Denbyshire, the country's largest coal mining region, with other UK canals. Today, the building no longer has the previous economic significance, but small vessels pass through it.

Briard Water Bridge, France

This is one of the oldest water bridges in the world, the construction of which lasted 38 years and was completed in 1642.

Magdeburg Water Bridge, Germany

This bridge is 918 meters long and is the longest of all existing water bridges on the planet. The aqueduct connecting the Elba-Havel canal with the Central German Canal is laid over the Elba River. Its construction was planned at the beginning of the XX century, but was completed only in 2003.

Aqueduct Pont du Sart, Belgium

This water bridge is part of the Central Canal and is located near the town of Howdeng-Goegnis. Here, the canal crosses the road junction, and the length of the water bridge is 498 meters. The Pont du Sarte water bridge has a considerable width of 46 meters.

Aqueduct Veluwemeer, Netherlands

This water bridge is known to many thanks to its original appearance. It is very short, its length is only 19 meters, and it connects two artificial reservoirs between which the highway passes.

Aqueduct of Javerud, Sweden

This water bridge required a lot of effort from the engineers, as it was built in the mountains. But the builders managed to overcome all the difficulties. In 1860, an aqueduct on the Disland Canal was built. Today, due to its unusual location, it is a tourist attraction.