Levkas Bridge-New Opening times.

ridgy said:
Rumoured to be reopening on Thursday using a ferry.
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Yes, the contract was finally signed and I think it's a ferry that's been used before many years ago. I think that's the one that's 32.5m LOA.

Work still needed to sort out the temporary ramps. Thursday seems to be the date it arrives. Might be able to go straight into service. Fingers crossed.

There was a depressing report from a TV program where August opening was unlikely. I think it was largely based on an opposition politician wanting to lay blame and make things sound as bad as possible.
 
Cariadco said:
Here's the info, on FB:
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It's quoting the same Greek news source I read. I've been meaning to track the ferry. I think it's been renamed and changed hands a few times. Tracking would help confirm arrival date. I think it's leaving Salamina, near Athens and likely to transit the Corinth canal. I might even see it.

Update: I think it's not the smaller ferry I found. Seems more likely to be one still operating around Salamia. It's much bigger at 73m LOA and I thought the gap was around 60-65m at most. It's Ro-ro and therefore ramps either end. I guess the hull at road level might squeeze in. It will be interesting to see and I imagine "opening" for boats will take longer than Santa Maura.

Fingers crossed as I need to head North around 20th.
 
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Just checked and it looks as if the replacement ferry is on track to arrive around noon today, a little earlier than expected. Looks promising for tomorrow if the temporary ramp mods. have been completed. Still not exactly certain how it's going to work as the ferry is quite big. I hope opening times are published and some feedback available. I'd like to transit in a little more than a week. Hopefully time to sort out any initial problems but not long enough for the ferry to be removed again.:D

Pretty certain this is the ferry on AIS. Ship FANEROMENI (Ro-Ro/Passenger Ship) Registered in Greece - Vessel details, Current position and Voyage information - IMO 8629125, MMSI 237818200, Call sign SY4919
 
It will be interesting to see how it works. Surely opening the channel to boat traffic will be pretty complicated? Maybe just once per day?
 
Mistroma said:
Just checked and it looks as if the replacement ferry is on track to arrive around noon today, a little earlier than expected. Looks promising for tomorrow if the temporary ramp mods. have been completed. Still not exactly certain how it's going to work as the ferry is quite big. I hope opening times are published and some feedback available. I'd like to transit in a little more than a week. Hopefully time to sort out any initial problems but not long enough for the ferry to be removed again.:D

Pretty certain this is the ferry on AIS. Ship FANEROMENI (Ro-Ro/Passenger Ship) Registered in Greece - Vessel details, Current position and Voyage information - IMO 8629125, MMSI 237818200, Call sign SY4919
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Should be with you shortly...

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dgadee said:
It will be interesting to see how it works. Surely opening the channel to boat traffic will be pretty complicated? Maybe just once per day?
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Yes, I couldn't see an easy place to slot it in. The ferry is 73m x 15m and the various gaps look smaller. Perhaps they're building some access further out. It's a Ro-Ro ferry and I assume 73m at the raised ramps. That means it's less further down, closer to sea level. Still going to be tight and I imagine opening will be infrequent if the plan is to wedge it into one of the gaps and lower both ramps.

I spotted her arriving at noon and then being positioned near the red line I've marked below. It looks as if it's about 68m and that could be about the right gap. However, it would need to slide sideways to move out.:D
 

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FB Message from one of the local Greek Guys:

According to a press release document from Lefkas Port Police , starting tomorrow afternoon (13/8), the ferry boat that will replace the bridge will be here.
The opening times will remain the same as before, namely: 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, and 22:00, until September 15.
We have not yet received confirmation on when it will begin operating. 13/8 or 14/8.
I will inform you as soon as this becomes known.
 
Cariadco said:
FB Message from one of the local Greek Guys:

According to a press release document from Lefkas Port Police , starting tomorrow afternoon (13/8), the ferry boat that will replace the bridge will be here.
The opening times will remain the same as before, namely: 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, and 22:00, until September 15.
We have not yet received confirmation on when it will begin operating. 13/8 or 14/8.
I will inform you as soon as this becomes known.
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Thanks very much. Official announcements seem pretty rare. First mention of opening times. I did see a statement that the Santa Maura would remain moored in open position until ready to be moved for inspection. Ferry would replace it but nothing specific about canal traffic.
 
I saw an article saying the ferry was now in it's location and all work on ramps complete. However, it said that it wouldn't go into service until the Santa Maura had been removed.

I hope that's a mistake as the authorities previously said it would be stored at the side until ready to be towed away.
 
Mistroma said:
I saw an article saying the ferry was now in it's location and all work on ramps complete. However, it said that it wouldn't go into service until the Santa Maura had been removed.

I hope that's a mistake as the authorities previously said it would be stored at the side until ready to be towed away.
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The Santa Maura is away now.

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wobbley29 said:
The Santa Maura is away now.

View attachment 197768
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Great, thanks for the update. I was reasonably certain they'd move it quickly as that's what was in the detailed plan originally. I suspected the later information was just the usual poor reporting.

I can start to make plans for the canal route, so a lot less weather watching a week or so ahead.:D

I assume it's this tug that's heading for Salamis.
MarineTraffic: Global Ship Tracking Intelligence | AIS Marine Traffic
 
Latest update from a company in Lefkas:
🚨
BREAKING NEWS – LEFKADA TRAFFIC CHAOS
🚨

Due to the severe traffic congestion across Lefkada, the scheduled bridge openings at 17:00 today and 14:00 tomorrow have been CANCELLED.
The situation has become a catastrophe for vehicles, with long queues and gridlock throughout the town and access roads.
⚠️
Given the current conditions, bridge openings should be limited over the next few days in order to prevent even greater disruption.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect serious delays.
We will update again as soon as new information is available.

1755454370686.png
 
Cariadco said:
Latest update from a company in Lefkas:
🚨
BREAKING NEWS – LEFKADA TRAFFIC CHAOS
🚨

Due to the severe traffic congestion across Lefkada, the scheduled bridge openings at 17:00 today and 14:00 tomorrow have been CANCELLED.
The situation has become a catastrophe for vehicles, with long queues and gridlock throughout the town and access roads.
⚠️
Given the current conditions, bridge openings should be limited over the next few days in order to prevent even greater disruption.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect serious delays.
We will update again as soon as new information is available.

View attachment 197947
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Thanks again.

Not exactly a surprise as residents have been complaining about traffic levels in summer for ages. I imagine the ferry takes a lot longer than Santa Maura to open and close. Road traffic issues seemed likely when I heard they were sticking to normal opening times.

I'm thinking of going North on 21st/22nd at 10:00. No idea how busy it will be but at least many charter boats won't be around.

How hard would it be for the contactor to create a single webpage with opening times and planned changes. Unlikely to get something that easy in Greece.
 
BobnLesley said:
They used a ro-ro ferry there for a while about 20 years ago, cars drove on one end and straight pff the other; as I recall they swung it around about 2 or 3 times each day for yacht transits.
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I believe the current replacement is the same vessel used previously. Makes sense as it must be just the correct length to bridge the gap but still able to manoeuvre.
 
Just got the email update from Gouvia Marina.......

We would like to inform you of the new Lefkas Bridge schedule, applicable during the period 19–31 August 2025:
Monday – Wednesday – Friday – Sunday
08:00 – 10:00 – 19:00 – 22:00

Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday
08:00 – 10:00 – 14:00 – 19:00 – 22:00
 
Cariadco said:
Just got the email update from Gouvia Marina.......

We would like to inform you of the new Lefkas Bridge schedule, applicable during the period 19–31 August 2025:
Monday – Wednesday – Friday – Sunday
08:00 – 10:00 – 19:00 – 22:00

Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday
08:00 – 10:00 – 14:00 – 19:00 – 22:00
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Thanks for the update. I think we'll try for 08:00 on 23rd as that gives largest number of openings they'll cancel. Should get something.:D
 
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