Since 1995, a new residential area has been developed: “Dongeburgh” with about 1,000 houses. The riverbanks of De Donge are now set up for both touristic and recreational purposes.
In 2006 the Dutch Railway Co (NS Vastgoed) assigned the bridge to foundation “Stichting Spoorbrug Geertruidenberg” (SSG), which is allied to foundation Stichting Federatie Behoudt de Langstraatspoorbruggen (FBL). Both organisations have the ambition, to restore the former railway track in their region and to re-use both the bridges and the railway track for walkers and cyclists. Unfortunately, till now, it is not possible to use the railway bridge over De Donge for walkers, but we are looking for ways to restore this bridge.
Just like in New York, SSG would like to use the bridge for a walking path and for resting. Plants and trees could make it look like a garden. We have the plans, but we are only volunteers, without money. We estimate the total restoration costs close to five and a half million euros.