VOLHARDING 17
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Bridge re-opened after repairs
The Dorkwerder Bridge was reopened to all traffic on April 13, 2026. The bridge has been closed since Nov 7, 2025. following damage caused by the allision of the 'Volharding 17'- Over the past few days, Rijkswaterstaat replaced the bridge's steel cables. An inspection which followed the allision had revealed breaks in the cables. As a result, the bridge could no longer be used safely. Since then, the bridge had been completely closed, forcing cars and cyclists to take a detour. Over the past few months, it was also investigated whether there was more damage to the bridge, including to the bridge deck. The bridge was safe to use again after the new steel cables have been installed and the bridge has been tested.
Master accused of unsafe sailing
The national police have completed their investigation into the allision of the 'Volharding 17' with the Dorkwerder Bridge on Nov 7. Following the investigation, the police have drawn up a report and sent to the Public Prosecution Service for review. It was unknown when the Public Prosecution Service will decide whether to prosecute the skipper. The Frisian master of the vessel was suspected of unsafe navigating and speeding, especially in combination with the dense fog that prevailed that morning. He stated: "My buddy had just cleaned the tanks. We were having a cup of coffee and chatting. I checked a few messages on my phone, and suddenly the bridge appeared. I immediately accelerated to full throttle in reverse, but there was no stopping me. A vessel like that doesn't just stop." The bridge was so badly damaged that it has since been closed to cars, pedestrians, and cyclists for a yet unknown time. Report with photo: https://sikkom.nl/nieuws/schipper-die-dorkwerderbrug-ramde-wordt-verdacht-van-onveilig-vaargedrag-en-te-hard-varen-48082571.html
Repair of damage will take several more weeks
The repair of the damage, caused by the 'Volharding 17' in the allision with the Dorkwerder Bridge, will take several more weeks. During an inspection, Rijkswaterstaat discovered damage to the steel cables of the operating mechanism, the system that safely raises and lowers the bridge last week, after which Rijkswaterstaat decided to raise the bridge deck and not lower it for the time being. The damage could cause a cable break, with the worst-case scenario of the bridge deck falling. When the bridge will be usable again is still unknown. Rijkswaterstaat was waiting for the delivery of new steel cables, among other things, and was expecting the repair to take several weeks. The allision also caused significant damage to the bridge deck, preventing the bridge from closing properly. The bridge was open for a week following the accident, pending inspection. This brought hope, as cyclists and pedestrians were able to use the bridge again about a week and a half later. However, this was over at the end of last week after the discovery of damage to the control system.
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