Tilburg | Wilhelminakanaal | Large lock gates

World's largest composite lock gates

In 2016, the largest composite lock gates in the world were installed in the New Lock III of the Wilhelmina Canal in Tilburg. Never before have lock gates of these dimensions (6.2 by 12.9 meters) been installed. The point doors can turn a difference in water level of as much as 7.90 meters.

The outside of each composite lock door consists of 35 mm thick fiberglass-reinforced polyester; the inside is made of foam. As a result, the door is light and can be opened and closed with less force. The lock doors have almost the same weight as water. This produces minimal friction for the hinges and reduces wear and tear. Partly because of this, they last three times longer than conventional lock doors. The doors have a beige/yellow coating and are low maintenance.

Rijkswaterstaat's Wilhelminakanaal widening project thus has a sustainable world first.