Baileybrug Bocholt

After the construction of the Bocholt-Herentals Canal (1843 -1846), a swing bridge was located around the confluence of the Zuid-Willemsvaart and the Bocholt-Herentals Canal. This swing bridge was in use until 1935.

When the canal was widened in 1934, the swing bridge was replaced by a steel arch bridge. In may 1940 the steel arch bridge, together with the other bridges in area, was destroyed using explosives in order to slow down the invading German army.

It was not until 1963 that the destroyed bridge was replaced by the current Bailey bridge, which was built by the Belgian Army's Engineer Troops.

A Bailey bridge is a bridge type designed by British engineer M. Donald C. Bailey and consists of a construction kit with prebuilt parts that can be assembled in record time (if needed).