# Locals Keep Driving on This Buckled Bridge Because It’s Quicker Than the Detour

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-19 23:07 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Drivers in Greece continue to use a buckled bridge damaged by Storm Daniel, prioritizing a faster route over significant safety concerns.

## Intelligence Brief
A bridge in Greece that suffered structural failure three years ago remains in active use by local motorists. According to reports from eKathimerini.com, tovima.com, and KOHA.net, the infrastructure was damaged during the impact of Storm Daniel. Despite the fact that the bridge is described as buckled and collapsing into the water, drivers persist in crossing it. This behavior continues despite the evident physical degradation of the site and the associated risks to those transporting vehicles over the damaged span. Coverage from The Drive and Jalopnik emphasizes the specific motivation behind this risky behavior, noting that drivers prefer the damaged bridge because it is quicker than the available detour.


The Greek Herald further highlights that this usage continues regardless of the safety concerns surrounding the structure. These outlets portray a scenario where the convenience of a shorter commute outweighs the visible danger of a collapsing bridge, reflecting a persistent reliance on the compromised route years after the initial disaster occurred. To understand the context of this situation, the coverage points back to the events of three years ago when Storm Daniel caused the initial collapse and damage. The bridge's current state is a direct result of that weather event. The fact that it has remained in a damaged state while still being utilized by the public for three years suggests a prolonged period of instability.


The tension between official safety concerns and the daily needs of locals has created a situation where a buckled piece of infrastructure remains a primary transit point. Future developments will depend on whether authorities can enforce the detour or complete necessary repairs. Current reporting focuses on the ongoing nature of the problem and the continued defiance of safety warnings by motorists. Watch for updates regarding official closures or infrastructure projects that might finally divert traffic away from the bridge. As noted by multiple sources, the primary driver of the current trend is the inefficiency of the detour compared to the speed of the damaged crossing.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| eKathimerini.com | Drivers still use storm-damaged bridge three years after collapse | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxQTkxDNmM2Y2VoRG1qS3ZWOTZRdG51SjVZYUdXY1hIZnJvQVl3VXVZMENhYWZZOGlsV0diOGw5RWtadXFWNmdKd0ZrM1dKNDFFY1J5cVhQLU8tVXliWEYyV05pRExVVjdRM05NZmVmMGoxa2pZVmplN3I5Vnp6ZUtOZGU0ekplY24yQThXVnVBaFdTM3VkR1IzaTNsMDVpUGtTbk1mN1E2WlFRaUpC?oc=5) |
| The Greek Herald | Drivers in Greece continue using damaged bridge despite safety concerns | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxOcUgyLTZWLXJ1dUhTQ0JscXU0YWsyb2hGSnJBZVZDM21oX0JHd0ptVEd2a0JzZDBhQm5kYWVtc3JfbEt4eWZDSk9INU5ITndQcnVGcEctMzA4Z2dUVnkzaG5DUzdlY0oxQWlRTDVfRk9kbTFVRnNkVEMxbjZvNU9GT05XOHg5SENwY3N6VURBMmRRS1RBbDBiLU5UNW96Ul9yRzh0THFhQQ?oc=5) |
| tovima.com | Bridge Damaged by Storm Daniel Still Used by Drivers | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxQWkNqc0FrQllLU1JhN0M2blQ3akU3dTdLV09qNFQ1dU81QUxjN29ZbW8xWXF1Qkk4Z1padzZ1WElRbDV3SjdMYnNLSWxGLW9EWjVRczVVc3RlNE9jS2J0OHY2UDg5QThuakF4bW1qNXY0NVpRYnlSeEpTNzUyRVA3V09iRjZGWGhoVmJmbdIBkgFBVV95cUxNcERUZzM4OUx1eFZoT3dqc2lSYTZwTm1jS1FQUHdPM01BUFFZVXFQelVBYVBNcTZxN3lMRTNjZlRpZFoyeExybVJuNkdyb1JmWDFyMTdjMU9YX2RUM1lwMV82U1ppcmc5T2lfUld0cmxOM3k4OS1tQUd5MFVVN1IxQlh1NEUwSldsd0VFdENKMWJhZw?oc=5) |
| KOHA.net | A bridge in Greece collapsed three years ago, but drivers continue to use it | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxPb0ZBZk1TWVZtNm43NW1weEJuekNFN1NJa2c5akEtMm51bmUwb0xDb0NxMjVfQU1MMTVlT21DZWJyQXNsblJoc1lPaWY2dHctLUE5ZUNTYklYZVF1Vm52ZUd2OGJfRUtFcUQ3dUM1dTZOWF8xUDYteUJOOUxGQXlrWHJfUjJTanRWMWdGc1RjQlUyaGVVc3lzUl92ZWRvN3Eyb0lQZmxYMzhXZw?oc=5) |
| Jalopnik | This Greek Bridge Is Collapsing Into Water But People Are Still Driving On It | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxOcDNHekI4VWtOOExyV2V2TnQtY05ESlV3Q1o1R2FMVmxzZHVvMTFQR1BJVktjZ0ZMLWJhRzZVbVYwbmROR25JZGVXelBubXAtT0o0ZjA1NVhOUzJzOUQ1UzhKY3FXSk1OUHd1ekk5blNoN1A3WkhpcVdQMllhX0xFOHVRN0dvZlFhS2hLVU56b1hDRVk?oc=5) |
| The Drive | Locals Keep Driving on This Buckled Bridge Because It’s Quicker Than the Detour | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNYUdWMGxZRi1EUml3T05rR2pTbFpvS1Frb1pQR193X3RBWlJleklHNUlyaENaanZIUnZQSUJjYkVqMWlvVVdrMWhJOWRNZ3pGNk9IbU50Rm9xRmZJd3Z0MVBmaUVfdVpsQkhQeGpic3VvckZIeWNmWElNdGRzMjN4OGtpTHlKckpVOXlORlVrdm5vNFFLSHJ2dF9BMXhMQi1qRnNnOThldkljWnM0?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-19/locals-keep-driving-on-this-buckled-bridge-because-it-s-quicker-than-the-detour*