Tholen's rolling bridge reopens for trial: what residents and visitors need to know
After nearly two years out of service, Tholen’s rolling bridge is temporarily operational again. Residents and tourists can cross the harbor bridge weekdays from 8:00 to 16:00, as local firms test its safety ahead of the summer season.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Tholen harbour, Zeeland |
| Trial Period | 23 March 2026 – ongoing (weekdays) |
| Operational Hours | 8:00 – 16:00 |
| Monitoring Companies | PIA Automation B.V., Jansen Tholen B.V. |
| Previous Downtime | Since April 2024 |
| Goal | Safe operation for summer 2026 |
The municipality of Tholen is responsible for maintaining local infrastructure, including the rolling bridge. Its role involves ensuring safe and reliable access for residents and visitors, particularly ahead of peak tourist seasons.
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Start of trial period for Tholen rolling bridge
Starting Monday, 23 March, the rolling bridge in Tholen’s harbour will be temporarily operational again. This means that residents and tourists can take a stroll around the Tholen harbour from Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 16:00 via the rolling bridge. Two local companies will closely monitor the bridge for any potential malfunctions in the coming period. The ultimate goal is to ensure the bridge operates safely and reliably and is ready for use during the upcoming summer season.
Two local companies
Since April 2024, the rolling bridge in Tholen’s harbour has been out of service due to repeated malfunctions, high repair costs, and the absence of a dedicated repair service. This meant the bridge’s operational reliability could not be guaranteed. A technical investigation had already revealed that the malfunctions stem from various causes, partly due to strict safety requirements and user behaviour.
Since September 2025, two companies have studied available information and data and assessed the bridge’s condition (test runs): PIA Automation B.V. for electrical engineering and Jansen Tholen B.V. for mechanical engineering.