Closure of Middle Lock and Captain Rooibos Canal in Terneuzen

On Oct. 1, 2021, the Middle Lock in Terneuzen will be decommissioned. Contractor Sassevaart will demolish the lock to make room for the entrance channel for the New Lock and service port under construction. Because the Middensluis will no longer be used, the temporary detour canal, the Kapitein Rooiboskanaal, will lose its function. A final passage marks the end of both objects and their functions.

The Terneuzen lock complex has three locks, of which the Middle Lock is the oldest. The Middensluis will make way for the Nieuwe Sluis lock. Road traffic will continue to pass over the north bridge of the Middensluis. Road signs will indicate the driving route on site.

Demolition Middle Lock

The Middle Lock consists of 60,000 m³ of masonry, concrete and timber. In addition, we have to remove nearly 7,000 wooden piles, four bridge sections, four point doors and two roller doors. The walls and bottom will be demolished "wet. This means that there will still be water in the lock during demolition, so that the sluicing function of excess canal water to the Westerschelde can also continue. The bridge and doors on the south side will be dismantled 'dry' and removed by road. The temporary detour channel will be used by the contractor as a work site for the removal of demolition material by ship.

History

The Middle Lock has a long history. Since 1890 there had been talk of expansion plans for a new lock at Terneuzen. In 1895, after long negotiations, a new Belgian-Dutch agreement was reached for the construction of this lock. Construction only began in 1902. On Oct. 1, 1908, the Sea Lock (as it was then called) was open for navigation. February 15, 1910 was the official opening by then Queen Wilhelmina. During the 113 years the Middle Lock was in operation, many ships used it. The lock has had quite a few renovations over time.

Captain Rooibos Canal

The temporary passage channel was opened on May 6, 2019, and was used as a detour channel, allowing shipping to use the Middle Lock for nearly two and a half years longer during the construction work of the New Lock. After a public competition, the name "Captain Rooibos Canal" was chosen, after the sung mythical sea hero by local band The Lamakettas.