Surreal drone footage captured a Dutch aqueduct crossing a motorway with incredible engineering feats has been captured. It appears that cars are disappearing in the water as they rise seconds later.
In Harderwijk, the Veluwemeer Aqueduct allows boats to cross the 80ft bridge and cars can speed underneath.
This remarkable structure, which was built in 2002 to connect the Netherlands mainland with Flevoland (the largest artificial island) in the world, has been opened.
Drone footage has been captured by Rutger den Hertog, showing the optical illusion as the cars appear to vanish under the water.
Around 28,000 cars use the bridge daily. Small boats can pass safely over it while cars go underneath.
In surreal drone footage, a Dutch Aqueduct that crosses a motorway has been captured. The incredible feat of engineering appears to have cars disappearing into water just seconds after they emerged.
In the middle of Europe, the Veluwemeer Aqueduct allows boats to cross the bridge at 80ft while cars race underneath.
The aqueduct is made up of 22,000 cubic meters of concrete to support the weight of the water and boats above the motorway below.
It is 10 feet deep and has designated cycle lanes underneath. However, the water from the bridge never spills onto the traffic below.
A series of artificial embankments raises the highway above the level of the water.
However, for 56 feet of the length of the aqueduct the road descends below the lake’s surface.
It was constructed in 2002, and connects the Netherlands’ mainland to Flevoland. This is the largest artificial island on the planet.
Concrete blocks of approximately 22,000 cubic metres are used to build the aqueduct. They can support the boats and water that travel above the motorway.
Drawbridges, tunnels, and ferries were all considered options for allowing the road to pass over the lake. This helps to regulate the water level and creates a reserve area for waterbirds.
Engineers instead chose a unique solution and constructed the short aqueduct using concrete and steel sheet piles.
It was deemed inefficient and unrealistic to use a drawbridge or ferry to stop the flow of traffic on the busy road, while a tunnel would have been even more expensive than the £45million needed for the aqueduct.
Rutger (22 years old), lives in Ouderkerk Aan Den IJssel and said, “I am always on the lookout for unique and new spots or places to photograph and video.”
It is 10 feet deep and has designated cycle lanes, pedestrian walkways underneath, as well as designated cycle lanes. However the water from the bridge never seeps onto the traffic below.
Drawingbridges, tunnels, ferries and drawbridges were some of the options that were explored during planning to permit the road over the manmade water body. It helps maintain water levels and provides a natural reserve for birds.
“I was looking for a Dutch-style photo. This one shows us living in harmony with water.
I came across this photo and instantly thought of how amazing it would be from the top.
“It was a long time to perfect frame and time the shots.
“I captured the aqueduct using a drone as a pioneer in the Netherlands, and the area has become a hotspot for drone users ever since.”
“I enjoy searching for unique and special places.