Potential risk of collisions at bridge piers under scrutiny

AuthorsHove, D. van

Conference/JournalMARIN Report 144

Date30 Jun 2025

The Dutch government and knowledge experts, including MARIN, are teaming up to examine collision risks at ageing bridge piers in the Netherlands.

Rijkswaterstaat, (the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management), which is responsible for the design, construction, management and maintenance of the Netherlands’ primary infrastructure facilities, manages 333 bridges and 101 so-called wet civil engineering structures, such as locks and weirs. These structures must guarantee water safety but also ensure the smooth and safe passage of ships now and in the future.

Contact

Dick ten Hove

senior project manager

However, many of these locks and bridges were built between 1950 and 1970 and are currently in the final phase of their technical design life. In addition, bridges, for example, are facing an increasing collision risk due to more intensive use and ever larger ships. As a result, many bridges, locks and weirs will need to be replaced or renovated in the coming years.

KpNK programme

The aim of this knowledge programme is to develop clear guidelines and tools that are easy to apply when making decisions regarding replacement or renovation, taking into account developments in shipping, climate change and technology. With MARIN examining the impact on shipping, the partners have drawn up a long-term plan covering all potential impacts. Each year the KpNK participants delve deeper into one or more topics, such as the possible causes of a collision or the use of certain data to estimate the risk of acceptance. This approach ensures that they don't just deliver isolated results; instead, collectively building up a valuable, complete picture.

Collision with rail bridge across the river Gouwe