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. River Meuse splits near Heusden into the Afgedamde Maas ("Dammed-off Meuse") to the north and the Bergse Maas to the west. 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.
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.
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