Levkas Bridge-New Opening times.

[Cariadco]

LEVKAS BRIDGE:
The new opening hours of the bridge are determined as follows:
In the time period from 01 June to 15 September of each year, the opening of the floating bridge will take place at 08:00 - 10:00 - 14:00 - 17:00 - 19:00 - 21:00 - 22:00, first ten to fifteen minutes of each hour.
In the time period from September 16 to May 31 of each year, the opening of the floating bridge will take place at 08:00 -10:00 -12:00 -14:00 -16:00 -18:00 -20:00, the first ten to fifteen minutes of each hour.

 

[alexsailor]

Been there on begining of the month at 14:00.
Total mess. I waited and was the last one (going north) and I was standing by the Lefkas marina.
Did not count the boats but it was a mess.

 

[AndrewB]

Maybe someone should tell the bridge operators. We went through on the regular 1100 swing on 28th June.

 

[dgadee]

Bridge now permanently closed. Or at least till after it is dry docked. No warning!

 

[Cariadco]

Here's the latest announcement:

Good morning from D-Marin Lefkas. We have been informed by the Harbour Master of Lefkas that the floating bridge will cease her operations for yachts’ passage as of the night of 25/9/24. The reason is that her certificate expired and up to the completion of mandatory dry docking (do not know when) she won’t open for boats.

 

[AndrewB]

Reception staff in Levkas Marina assured me that dry-docking of the swing bridge is a normal, annual event (usually in winter, when a ferry is substituted), so it should reopen "before long".

However, it seems odd that it is closed to yachts but is allowed to open a couple of times daily for commercial shipping. I know that Levkas drivers have become increasingly vocal about long waits at the bridge as ever more yachts go through, particularly this year. The attempt to reduce the number of swings apparently caused even greater chaos. You have to wonder if there might be more to this than a routine maintenance issue.

 

[dgadee]

What surprises me is the roadworks on the way to the bridge from Preveza. Huge amount of material removed to widen the road and make it faster. And it ends up where? At a lifting bridge and 50 kph road into a busy town.

Greece! Expense no object for some things.

Ps: I was caught at the bridge in a car. The space between many of the boats would annoy any car driver. You only need a boat length or so, not 10.

 

[Mistroma]

Yes, we often see huge gaps and 1st boat about 100m from bridge when it starts opening. They often hang back and don't move until it's fully open. I know you need to be sensible and number of charter boats makes you want to leave more space but it can be a bit silly. When we sailed in Holland the guy opening a bridge would be jumping up and down if your bow wasn't almost touching the bridge before it even started opening.

It would be nice to get some information from official sources. I've not seen any official response in news, but not exactly a suprise. I imagine I'll eventually find it's operational about a week after it happens.

I seem to remember it has been replaced before by a small RoRo ferry acting as a bridge while it goes to dry dock. I imagine finding a suitable temporary replacement will take a while.

 

[dgadee]

Lefkas FB page had info. Seems local council blaming central government.

Anyway, Greece will soon be in my rear view mirror. Interesting times around the Ionian and Aegean, but I feel I have "done it".

 

[Mistroma]

I thought the bridge would be operating until September as I thought that's when certification ran out last year. It's been working on reduced hours this year.

A friend just emailed to say they've heard about closure on 13th or 14th July with same certification issue.

I'll need to search for confirmation as closure doesn't seem to be advertised online.

 

[Mistroma]

I did find an article about the bridge closure on 14th July and it doesn’t look good for a quick fix. It describes an impasse with the government. Seemed odd that they are blaming the government for not extending the certificate exemption rather than actually getting a new certificate. However the article talks about renewing a contract rather than a certification. I'd assumed it was safety related as people always linked it to an annual lift out for inspection. The article does mention the inspection as well but that seems to be in addition to the contract issue.

Σε αδιέξοδο το ζήτημα της πλωτής γέφυρας – Απορρίφθηκε η παράταση των

Rough Google translation:
An absolute impasse is forming on the issue of the operation of the Lefkada floating bridge , as the Ministry of Shipping categorically rejected the request for an extension of the current contract, while the approval of the new one by the Commissioner of the Court of Auditors remains pending.

With an official document, the Ministry of Shipping responded negatively to the request for an extension of the existing contract, bringing the case to a critical point, since its validity expires on July 13 , the date on which the general inspection protocol for the bridge also ceases to be valid .

At the same time, the new contract that has been submitted for approval remains "frozen" , as no response has yet been given by the competent Commissioner, resulting in no institutional coverage for the continued operation of the bridge.

The situation is causing serious concern to local authorities, as if there is no development within the next 48 hours, the island of Lefkada is at risk of being left without road access , with all that this entails in the midst of the tourist season.

 

[Mistroma]

I read an updated statement that doesn't give any indication of a likely resolution date. I read it as the local authority trying to make clear that it isn't their fault. It does give a detailed explanation of the process and the main problem seems to be lack of interest by contactors and therefore nobody to operate the bridge. Fortunately, one bid has been submitted.


STATEMENT FROM THE DEPUTY REGIONAL UNIT OF LEFKADA
The procedure for the maintenance and docking of the “Agia Mavra” Floating Bridge in Lefkada is awaiting approval from the Court of Auditors. The Regional Unit of Lefkada, with its announcement, responds to questions and concerns regarding the delay in the work, noting that all actions were taken on time and in accordance with the required legislation.

As stated, the delay is not due to the service’s inaction, but to the lack of interest from specialized contracting companies in two consecutive tenders. Following these developments, the Region followed the negotiation process and has already sent the contract for approval to the Court of Auditors.

The full announcement of the Regional Unit of Lefkada follows. Lefkada

The Regional Unit of Lefkada responsibly informs the citizens of the island that it has taken all the required and legally required actions for the maintenance and docking of the Floating Bridge "Agia Mavra" (Law 26), in view of the expiration of the General Inspection Protocol (GIP) on July 13, 2025.

Following Decision No. 2070.0/73351/14-10-2024 of the Ministry of Shipping & Island Policy and the relevant approval of Branch C of the Coast Guard (2070.0/73383/14-10-2024), the docking of the floating ship was extended until the above date (13-07-2025). The Regional Authority, realizing the urgency of the issue, began a race to secure funding through the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport.

In this context, the project was included by Ministerial decision in the Regional Infrastructure and Transport Program 2021–2025, entitled “Reservoir Construction – Maintenance of Lefkada Agia Mavra Marine Terminal, Law No. 26” and MIS code 522570, on February 17, 2025. From the day of inclusion (17-02-2025), the Directorate of Technical Works of the Regional Authority of Lefkada moved quickly to announce the project, with the aim of selecting a contractor before the start of the summer tourist season.

However, two consecutive tenders were unsuccessful, as none of the few specialized contracting companies (less than ten throughout the country) submitted a bid, which highlighted the difficulty of attracting interest.

Following this, the Service resorted, as it should, to the negotiation procedure without prior publication (article 32 par. 2a of Law 4412/2016), which is legally applied after fruitless tender procedures.

Finally, there was interest from a specialized contracting company with the necessary technical and legal qualifications. The relevant invitation was sent, accepted and the company submitted a bid within the specified deadline. The bid was checked by the Negotiation Committee and sent for the foreseen pre-contractual control to the Court of Auditors, where it remains for approval.

We reiterate that from the moment the project was funded by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, on February 17, 2025, the Regional Unit of Lefkada proceeded without delay with all the required actions to secure a contractor. Therefore, the delay in issuing the maintenance certificate is not due to negligence or inaction of our Services,

The Region of the Ionian Islands and the Regional Unit of Lefkada will continue to work responsibly, institutionally and with full transparency for the protection of infrastructure, public safety and the proper functioning of the Floating Bridge, fully respecting the requirements of legality and the needs of the local community.

 

[dgadee]

And all that money spent on upgrading the road to the bridge. Maybe better spending the money on a better bridge.

 

[Mistroma]

Yes, it looks as if it will be dual carriageway judging by the width of the strip beside the road. Probably not as that would be insane. Imagine a motorway with a 5mph chokepoint that tries to destroy your car at anything over 10mph. But it's Greece.

 

[Mud Lark]

For anyone hoping to use the Lefkada Palace ferry for crew transfers at Spilia, Meganisi, please note that boat won't be stopping there until the bridge is fixed. Going round the west of Lefkada it would add two hours to keep Spilia in the itinerary.

 

[Mistroma]

Latest on local TV was something about the local MP suggesting a temporary solution. He suggested a 2 way ferry for vehicles and that would clear the way for vessels in the canal.

I'm not sure how that would work as there isn't much space to dock a ferry big enough to take a lorry.

The Santa Maura is pretty much a Ro-Ro ferry with a very tiny sailing route, probably a few inches if you allow for some movement.

It would be chaotic with a ferry continually moving back and forth with charter boats trying to get past.

Road queues would be unbelievable.

I'm beginning to wonder if the local MP has ever visited the area

 

[dgadee]

Latest on local TV was something about the local MP suggesting a temporary solution. He suggested a 2 way ferry for vehicles and that would clear the way for vessels in the canal.

I'm not sure how that would work as there isn't much space to dock a ferry big enough to take a lorry.

The Santa Maura is pretty much a Ro-Ro ferry with a very tiny sailing route, probably a few inches if you allow for some movement.

It would be chaotic with a ferry continually moving back and forth with charter boats trying to get past.

Road queues would be unbelievable.

I'm beginning to wonder if the local MP has ever visited the area

Maybe he has a financial interest in the ferry.

 

[Mistroma]

Situation still very confused. I personally doubt I'll be able to transit before the last week of August and quite likely into September.

Old contract
I believe this is all wrapped up and finished.

New contract
Another delay signing the new contract. I think it's awaiting insurance cover. Expected daily but extension in place until 12th Aug.

Replacement ferry to cover removal of Santa Maura for lift out and inspection
The new contractor should supply one but the local authority were also preparing to put one in place in case of delay.
Local authority could only fund around 4-5 due to laws on spending. Now seems to be confusion about the replacement and local authority don't want to end up with 2 ferries. I did find a reference to a likely replacement and it had 32.5m LOA. The Santa Maura its a gap around 50-60m. Going to be a very short ferry ride.

Likely outcome
I saw a vague reference to it being financially advantageous for the contractor to delay. The Regional Council are hiring a legal specialist. I also think there are worries about the time it will take to lift and carry out work on the Santa Maura. Hence my expectation that there will be further delays. I hope someone will have some additional information or corrections to the information above.

 

[dgadee]

Some of the road money could have paid for a bridge. Stupid to build a road going to a rickety boat bridge. But Greece is a different world.

 

[Mistroma]

Some of the road money could have paid for a bridge. Stupid to build a road going to a rickety boat bridge. But Greece is a different world.

Someone once said that a fixed bridge would mean it's no longer classified as an island and lose out financially. No idea if it's true but imagine that islands might get subsidies.

A fixed bridge would be expensive because it would need about 25m clearance. Pretty awkward to build in that location. A lifting or swing bridge would be fine and avoid the suspension wrecking Santa Maura. I imagine the Dutch would fit a standard model in a trice.