Major maintenance and renovation work was carried out in 2012, according to plan, for which the province of South Holland, together with the municipality of Waddinxveen, had earmarked 7.4 million euros. The bridge was closed to road traffic for five months. A ferry was available for cyclists and pedestrians. Shipping traffic was able to pass the bridge unhindered during that period. On September 1, 2012, the bridge was officially reopened by municipal and provincial authorities. According to the province, the bridge can last another fifteen years. [14]
Since 1 September 2012, the bridge has been operated remotely by the Bridge control center in the Haakterpoort in Alphen aan den Rijn.
On April 21, 2015, a collision took place by a pontoon pusher equipped with spud poles. The rear spud pole rammed the bridge and got stuck under the fall. A waiting cyclist was slightly injured by falling bolts and pavers.
The bridge was severely damaged. The province of South Holland has even considered demolishing the lift bridge and replacing it with a new bridge. [15] However, when it became clear after research that the bridge could also be repaired, it was decided to restore and preserve the national monument. The recovery of the bridge took 7 months and cost almost 2 million euros. [16]
Road traffic was diverted during that period. Cyclists and pedestrians were able to pass the Gouwe via a ferry.
The collision was caused by the skipper's erroneous assumption that the lifting height was 15 meters. In reality it was 12 meters (the standard height), which was also indicated on the matrix board.
In 2040, the vehicle lift will be more than 100 years old and at the end of its life. A report from the province of South Holland states that the Waddinxveen lift bridge must then be replaced, as well as the lift bridges in Boskoop and Alphen aan den Rijn that are about the same age.