Most drivers will swerve around a pothole. Residents near Larissa, Greece, are driving over an entire bridge that partially collapsed nearly three years ago.
It sounds like something from an action movie—or an off-road challenge designed for YouTube—but for locals in the Thessaly region, it’s simply part of the daily commute. Farmers, pickup truck owners, and SUV drivers continue to cross the severely deformed Palaiopyrgos Bridge despite the fact that its central span collapsed following catastrophic flooding in 2023.
The bridge’s story begins with Storm Daniel, one of the most destructive weather events to hit southeastern Europe in recent history. The storm tore through Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Libya in September 2023, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Thessaly suffered some of the worst damage, with floodwaters destroying roads, railways, and an astonishing 79 bridges.
The Palaiopyrgos Bridge never recovered.
Instead of being rebuilt, the crossing remains frozen in time. Its center section has sagged dramatically, leaving a concrete dip that hangs just above the Pineios River. The damage is obvious long before drivers reach it, yet many continue across without hesitation.
Drone footage published by local outlet LarissaNet captures the surreal reality. A Ford Ranger eases down one side of the collapsed span before climbing back up the other, making the crossing resemble an improvised off-road obstacle more than a public road.
Watching the video raises an obvious question: Why would anyone risk it?
For many locals, the answer is simple. The alternative route requires a lengthy detour via a national highway, adding both time and fuel costs—expenses that quickly accumulate for farmers moving equipment or making multiple daily trips. When your livelihood depends on efficiency, the temptation to gamble with damaged infrastructure becomes surprisingly understandable, even if it’s difficult to justify.
That doesn’t make the bridge any safer.
Every crossing carries the possibility that deteriorating concrete or unexpected structural failure could transform an ordinary drive into a major rescue operation. Heavy vehicles place additional stress on an already compromised structure, while years of exposure to weather can only worsen existing damage.
Ironically, residents know exactly what they’re dealing with. Visitors don’t.
Although authorities have officially prohibited traffic, the absence of robust physical barriers means determined drivers can still access the crossing. Even more concerning, navigation apps reportedly continue directing unsuspecting motorists toward the bridge. Tourists unfamiliar with the area can find themselves rounding a corner only to discover a cracked, sunken bridge directly ahead, forcing abrupt braking and awkward U-turns.
It’s an unsettling reminder that infrastructure failures don’t always end when the headlines fade. Sometimes they become part of everyday life.
With footage of the bridge now circulating widely online, local residents hope the renewed attention finally prompts authorities to install proper physical barriers—or better yet, begin replacing the bridge altogether. Until then, one of Europe’s most dangerous shortcuts remains open to anyone willing to roll the dice.
Some roads demand confidence behind the wheel. This one demands a little too much faith in concrete.
Source: Larissanet OnlineNewspaper via YouTube
