Editing Zuid-Willemsvaart (section)

=== Initial Construction ===
The first part of the canal that was constructed, was the part from 's-Hertogenbosch to Veghel, and from there to Helmond. This part was tendered on 10 April 1822. The digging was offered in six lots. Between 's-Hertogenbosch and Veghel it was to have three or four locks and a number of drawbridges and [[culvert]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010049815:mpeg21:p005 | work = Nederlandsche staatscourant | title= Bijvoegsel (addendum)| date= 18 March 1822 }}</ref> In November 1822 the construction of Lock 1 in 's-Hertogenbosch was started (cf. above).<ref name=NS19111822 />

The second part ran from Helmond to a point on the road between [[Someren]] and [[Asten, Netherlands|Asten]]. On 19 March 1823 digging this stretch was offered in two lots, and was tendered together with three locks on the already dug out stretch between Veghel and Helmond, and the drawbridges and culverts on that stretch.<ref name=SC12031823>{{Cite news |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010049399:mpeg21:p002 | work = Nederlandsche staatscourant | title= Ministerie van Binnenlandsche Zaken en Waterstaat| date= 12 March 1823 }}</ref> Also in 1823, a third part was tendered on 25 March. It was tendered in two lots and consisted of the already present waterway below [[Lanaken|Smeermaas]], through the Caberg to the fortress of Maastricht.<ref name=SC12031823/>

In 1824 a fourth, fifth and sixth part were tendered. The fourth part stretched from the road between Someren and Asten to the provincial boundary between North Brabant and Limburg. It was tendered on 25 February 1824, together with 6 locks between Helmond and the provincial boundary as well as a drawbridge and culverts.<ref name=SC31011824>{{Cite news |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010048956:mpeg21:p004 | work = Nederlandsche staatscourant | title= Ministerie van Binnenlandsche Zaken en Waterstaat| date= 31 January 1824}}</ref> On 2 March 1824 the fifth part was tendered. This consisted of: Digging the canal from the provincial boundary to its junction with the former Noorderkanaal, or Grand Canal du Nord. The renovation of the Grand Canal du Nord on the stretch that was part of the Zuid-Willemsvaart, and the construction or completion of some of its infrastructure. Building six locks, 10 drawbridges and a number of culverts.<ref name=SC31011824/> On 16 March 1824 a sixth part was tendered. It consisted of: Digging the basin, or city harbor in Maastricht, with a lock on the Meuse. Executing a lot of works to lead the canal through the fortification of Maastricht, including three tunnels through the walls, and towards the basin.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010048990:mpeg21:p004 | work = Nederlandsche staatscourant | title= Ministerie van Binnenlandsche Zaken en Waterstaat| date= 11 March 1824}}</ref>

On 14 September 1825 the construction of the canal through 's-Hertogenbosch was tendered. This also included the construction of three bridges inside the city. A flood lock was planned on the eastern city walls. It had the peculiar characteristic of being mainly planned to cause or maintain a flood, instead of preventing it. However, the technique was the same as that of a flood lock. It was also a double flood lock, and therefore it could be used to lift ships, which came in handy if it caused or maintained a flood. However, in normal circumstances the flood lock would be open, and therefore it was not in the numbered list of locks. When it later began to permanently function as a lock, it was named [[Sluis 0]], or Lock 0, because it was just downstream of Lock 1.