The partial collapse of the bridge, and subsequet blocking of the canal under it, had caused nautical tailbacks throughout the North
To the great relief of skippers, Rijkswaterstaat and the municipality of Groningen, the first ship sailed through the site of the collapsed Gerrit Krolbrug last night, at about 20:35. The municipality has also managed to re-open one of the pedestrian and bike bridges, reports the GIC.
The large swing bridge had been out of action and blocking the Van Stakenborgh Canal (that connects Groningen with the rest of the Netherlands) from Friday, when it was accidentally rammed by a ship. Due to the accident, thirty ships had to stay in Groningen this weekend.
Image: the Gerit Krolbrug in 2009. By Wikimedia user Gouwenaar. Public Domain.