Bergse Maas
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The Bergse Maas or Bergsche Maas is a canal that was constructed in 1904 to be a branch of the Meuse River in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. The river Meuse splits near Heusden into the Afgedamde Maas ("Dammed-off Meuse") and the Berge Maas. The Afgedamde Maas flows north until its confluence with the river Waal (Rhine), while the Berge Maas flows west as the main distributary branch. Historically, a natural Meuse branch flowed from Heusden to the Amer and Hollands Diep estuary; this branch silted up and now forms the stream called Oude Maasje ("Little Old Meuse"). The Bergse Maas, which takes its name from the town of Geertruidenberg, was constructed in its basin to take over its functions. The resulted separation of the rivers Rhine and Meuse is considered to be the greatest achievement in Dutch hydraulic engineering before the 20th century, or at least until the completion of the Zuiderzee Works and Delta Works.
There are two road bridges and three car ferries. The latter are free of charge, as promised to the people living in the area when the Bergse Maas was dug, but as of 2004, a fee of €1.00 is charged for cars. For pedestrians, the ferries remain free of charge.
