Hoogholtje bridge
A Hoogholtje bridge (Lower Saxonion for small high wood) is a typical footbridge used mainly in the Dutch province of Groningen. In the West of the Netherlands, the same model bridge is named kwakel, kwakker, or kwakeltje.
This model bridge is high enough for small boats and low barges to pass below. On both sides, there are stairs to use the bridge. Most Hoogholtje bridges are made of wood, others of concrete or steel. The hoogholtjes/kwakels are narrow. A person can pass it with a bike but horses with carriages could not pass it. Larger boats can not pass it because the structure does not move. Hence many hoogholtjes/kwakels have been replaced by larger, movable bridges. In rare cases, such bridges were built next to the pedestrian bridges and these were preserved.
Area residents would be required to maintain the hoogholtjes. Between 1900 and 1910 this responsibility transferred to the municipalities in which the hoogholtjes were located.<ref name=hoogezand/>
This model bridge is high enough for small boats and low barges to pass below. On both sides, there are stairs to use the bridge. Most Hoogholtje bridges are made of wood, others of concrete or steel. The hoogholtjes/kwakels are narrow. A person can pass it with a bike but horses with carriages could not pass it. Larger boats can not pass it because the structure does not move. Hence many hoogholtjes/kwakels have been replaced by larger, movable bridges. In rare cases, such bridges were built next to the pedestrian bridges and these were preserved.
Area residents would be required to maintain the hoogholtjes. Between 1900 and 1910 this responsibility transferred to the municipalities in which the hoogholtjes were located.<ref name=hoogezand/>
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