Present codes require structures to be designed sufficiently robust, either by creating alternative load paths, or by increasing resistance of members. In the case of collision of column piers, alternative load paths seem to be an unworkable solution, since the loss of an essential support cannot be replaced by some other column or bracing. If all the columns of the same pier are destroyed, the adjacent beams of a concrete bridge are no longer in equilibrium, unless they become continuous and thus a corresponding bending moment can arise. The latter can be delivered by a couple of forces. The compressive force on top of the beams is provided by the bridge slab itself. The tensile force can be provided by a steel plate, below the bearings of the adjacent beams. Once the damaged condition comes about, there is a slight further shift of the bearings and the steel plate acts as a tensile element. A small-scale test has allowed us to confirm this principle experimentally. This idea has been tested for two cases of concrete bridges. A standard road bridge of multiple 34 m span of 39 precast prestressed hollow core girders and a 22.5 m span with classical I-section girders. Dummy cables are necessary to compensate the effect that bonded tendons are inactive at the ends of the PC-beams. Other details are still to be worked out, yet the general idea appears to be working and could meet the requirement for robustness.