AUTONEWS

Greek bridge collapsed long ago, but drivers still use it

Residents and farmers near the city of Larissa do something every day that few would dare. They drive across a concrete bridge that collapsed nearly three years ago and has never been repaired. Despite the danger, the bridge remains a local route.

Residents and farmers near the city of Larisa in Greece cross a concrete bridge every day that has collapsed for nearly three years and has yet to be repaired. Despite the great danger, the bridge continues to be used as part of its daily route.

The problems began in September 2023, when the devastating storm Daniel hit Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey and Libya, causing thousands of deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure. The region of Thessaly, in northern and central Greece, was among the hardest hit, where flooding led to the collapse of 79 bridges.

One of them is the Palaiopyrgos bridge, the central part of which has sunk and is located only a few centimeters above the Pineios River. The damage is clearly visible, but this has not stopped drivers from using it as if it were fully functional.

Drone footage from local media outlet LarissaNet shows a Ford Ranger vehicle crossing the collapsed section of the bridge, in a crossing that appears extremely dangerous.

For local residents, using the bridge is a practical matter. The only alternative is a long detour onto a state road, which costs more time and fuel, especially for farmers who travel this route every day. However, any crossing over the damaged bridge carries the risk of ending in a serious accident.

The problems date back to September 2023, when devastating storm Daniel hit Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey and Libya, leaving thousands of people dead and destroying infrastructure across the region. Thessaly in northern and central Greece was hit hardest, with flooding so severe that 79 bridges collapsed.

Among the destroyed structures is the collapsed Palaiopyrgos bridge, whose central section now drops just a few centimeters above the Pineios River below. The deformation is impossible not to notice, but drivers of pickup trucks and SUVs continue to use the crossing as if nothing had happened.

Drone footage taken by local news outlet LarissaNet shows a Ford Ranger sliding down one side and up the other.

For the people who live there, ignoring the dangers of the collapsed bridge is a matter of simple practicality. The only other way to cross the river is to take a slow detour on a state road, and for farmers who are concerned about time and fuel consumption, that extra time and money quickly adds up. The problem, however, is that every crossing of the destroyed bridge carries the risk of turning into a rescue operation.

Three years after the storm, residents know that the infrastructure is damaged, but tourists have no such awareness. Traffic is officially banned, but without physical barriers, warning signs are easy to ignore. Navigation systems regularly direct travelers towards the dysfunctional crossing, forcing them to brake hard and make U-turns when a cracked concrete ramp appears in front of them.

If all goes well, the viral videos will finally force local authorities to put up actual physical barriers and prevent a serious accident before it happens.