News Item

Published on: June 13, 2025, 11:44 AM

In 14 weeks, the Rijkswaterstaat will prepare the Spooldersluis and the Spooldersluis bridge in Zwolle for the future. The drone video below provides an impressive view of the work. Local residents had the chance to observe the work during an open day.

00:00
01:14

(Image title: Renovation Spooldersluis Zwolle. Image text: The Spooldersluis and the Spooldersluis bridge are due for a thorough renovation.)VIVID MUSIC UNTIL THE END OF THE VIDEO(The lock doors are transported for renovation at another location. We also detach parts of the drawbridge.)(Images of the work from the air. Image text: Large cranes first hoist the balance. Attached to it is the bridge leaf: the movable flap with the roadway. We also hoist the bridge leaf out. The large cranes work very carefully and place the flap on a barge.)(Image text: We transport the parts over the water to the yard. As long as the lock and bridge are closed, there is a temporary bridge for cyclists and pedestrians. After the renovation, the lock and bridge will be fully ready for the future.)(The Dutch coat of arms with: Rijkswaterstaat next to it. Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The image turns yellow and white. Image text: More information? Visit rijkswaterstaat.nl. A production of Rijkswaterstaat. Copyright 2025.)

The video shows how large cranes hoist various parts of the Spooldersluis bridge. First the balance, which moves above the bridge like the arms of a scale. Then the bridge leaf: the movable flap with the roadway.

Like the lock doors, these bridge parts are transported over the water to a yard for complete renovation. We will also thoroughly address the rest of the Spoolde lock complex. Thus, we will replace the moving works of both the lock and the bridge and modernize the operation and control.

Local Residents Care

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Rijkswaterstaat and the contractor combination Le Chêne (Van den Herik, BAM and Spie) opened the lock area for local residents from the Spoolde neighborhood. The interest was great. About 100 local residents followed a route where they received explanations at various points. Not only about technology but also about ecological measures.

‘We received a lot of positive feedback,’ says environmental manager Lisanne Treskes from Rijkswaterstaat. ‘We notice that local residents, young and old, care about the lock. They find it interesting to see what is happening here and are very interested. It is nice that we can involve the community in the work.’