Kourkoumeli bridge reopens

An end to the difficulty for drivers travelling to the western side of central Corfu from the eastern part of the island and vice versa, via the Kourkoumeli bridge. The project has been completed, and the bridge, following its restoration, was opened to traffic on Monday morning, 11th September.

Only vehicles up to a maximum of 3.5 tons are allowed to use it.

Complex Project

According to Deputy Regional Governor for Infrastructure and Technical Works, Manolis Orfanoudakis, this was a complex project of particular significance, as it connects two main axes of Corfu, the National Pelekas Road with the National Paleokastritsa Road. Moreover, up to 15,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

"The Technical Services acted promptly right after the Balos storm so as to conduct the necessary studies and obtain all the approvals," said Mr. Orfanoudakis. "Immediately after receiving approval from the Directorate of Modern Monuments, it completed this bridge within two months, which is of great significance for the whole of Corfu, as it is used by 15,000 vehicles daily."

In the coming days, all the required measurements will be taken by the engineer to determine the maximum load the bridge can withstand. Until then, the limit remains at 3.5 tons.

It should be noted that the specific works carried out concern temporary measures for the structural reinforcement of the bridge. The Ionian Islands Regional Administration has requested funding of €570,000 from the Ministry of Development for both the final study and its implementation.