Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Difference between revisions

Sunshine Skyway Bridge (former)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge (former)
Coordinates	27°37′30″N 82°39′31″W / 27.625°N 82.6586°W
Carried	4 lanes of US 19 (as two separate 2-lane bridges, one for each direction)
Characteristics
Design	Cantilever bridge
Material	Steel
Trough construction	Steel
Pier construction	Reinforced concrete
History
Engineering design by	Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hall and MacDonald
Constructed by	Virginia Bridge Company
Construction start	October 19, 1950 (original bridge, later converted to northbound only traffic, reverted to two way traffic in 1980); 1967 (southbound span);
Construction end	1954 (northbound span); 1971 (southbound span);
Construction cost	$22,250,000 (original bridge)
Opened	September 6, 1954; 70 years ago (original bridge)
Inaugurated	September 6, 1954
Collapsed	May 9, 1980; 44 years ago (southbound)
Closed	April 20, 1987; 37 years ago (northbound original span, closed as two way)
Replaced	Bee Line Ferry
Replaced by	Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Coordinates	27°37′30″N 82°39′31″W / 27.62500°N 82.65861°W
Carries	4 lanes of I-275 / US 19
Crosses	Tampa Bay
Locale	South of St. Petersburg and north of Terra Ceia, Florida
Official name	Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Other name(s)	The Skyway
Named for	Bob Graham
Maintained by	Florida Department of Transportation
ID number	150189
Characteristics
Design	Cable-stayed
Total length	4.14 mi (6.7 km)
Width	94 ft (29 m)
Height	430 ft (131 m)
Longest span	1,200 ft (366 m)
Clearance below	181 ft (55 m)
No. of lanes	4
History
Engineering design by	Figg & Muller Engineering Group
Constructed by	American Bridge Company
Construction start	June 1982
Construction cost	$244 million (equivalent to $652 million in 2023 dollars)
Opened	April 20, 1987; 37 years ago
Replaces	Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Statistics
Daily traffic	65,215 (2023)
Toll	$1.75 for passenger cars or $1.16 with SunPass
Location

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The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, officially referred to as the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, is a pair of long beam bridges with a central tall cable-stayed bridge. It spans Lower Tampa Bay to connect Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Florida) to Manatee County (Terra Ceia, Florida). The current Sunshine Skyway opened in 1987 and is the second bridge of that name on the site. It was designed by the Figg & Muller Engineering Group and built by the American Bridge Company.^[9] The bridge is considered the flagship bridge of Florida and serves as a gateway to Tampa Bay.^[10] The four-lane bridge carries Interstate 275 and U.S. Route 19, passing through Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and Manatee County. It is a toll bridge, with a toll assessed on two-axle vehicles traveling in either direction at a rate of $1.75 cash or $1.16 with the state's SunPass system.^[11]

The original Sunshine Skyway was a two-lane beam bridge with a central truss bridge built directly to the west of the current structure. It was completed in 1954, and a second two-lane span opened in 1971.^[12] The original bridge was the site of two major maritime disasters in 1980, the second of which resulted in its partial destruction. The first incident was on the night of January 28, when the United States Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn collided with the tanker Capricorn in the western approach to the bridge, resulting in the sinking of the cutter with the loss of 23 crew members in the worst peacetime disaster in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard. The second incident came on the morning of May 9, 1980, when the freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a support pier near the center of the bridge during a sudden squall, resulting in the catastrophic failure of the southbound roadway and the deaths of 35 people when several vehicles, including a Greyhound bus, plunged into Tampa Bay.^[13] Traffic was diverted onto the surviving two-lane span for several years until the replacement Skyway Bridge was completed, at which time the old bridge was partially demolished and converted into two^[14] long fishing piers.

The channel beneath the main span of the Skyway allows access to Port Tampa Bay, Port Tampa, the Port of St. Petersburg, and SeaPort Manatee, making it one of the busiest shipping lanes in the United States. Owing to the 1980 disaster, the current bridge incorporates numerous safety features to protect the structure from ship collisions.

History

Precursors and proposals

In 1924, J.G. "Jim" Foley, a realtor, and his partner Charles R. Carter joined with James E. Bussey, an attorney, to create the Bee Line Ferry Company. The service started on March 7, 1927, and originally had two ferries: Fred D. Doty and the City of Wilmington (which was later renamed Pinellas). The ferry crossed from the end of Bay Vista Park in St. Petersburg and went to Piney Point on the other side of the bay.^[15]

A physiotherapist from St. Petersburg named Herman Simmonds proposed building a "high-level suspension bridge" in 1926.^[7] Sometime during 1927, Simmonds received congressional approval and a permit from the US War Department to build a bridge, but efforts were put on hold due to the Great Depression.^[16]

In 1929, the Florida Legislature gave the Bee Line Ferry a 50-year franchise to operate a service between Pinellas and Manatee Counties.^[17] The service gradually expanded during the 1930s, and by the end of the decade, Bee Line operated four boats which departed every 30 minutes in the winter and every 45 minutes in the summer during daylight hours, weather permitting.^[15]^[18] During its last full year of operation in 1941, Bee Line carried almost 100,000 vehicles and thousands of passengers.^[18] However, ferries stopped running in 1942 when many employees were called to serve and the boats were converted to milatry use as part of the World War II war effort.^[18] In 1944, the St. Petersburg Port Authority bought the franchise from Bee Lee and resumed ferry service, albeit on a smaller scale until the end of the war. Regular ferry service would continue until the Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened a decade later.^[16]

During the same period, there were several preliminary proposals to build a tunnel or a series of bridges across the mouth of Tampa Bay. In 1929, a bill was introduced in the Florida legislature to build a tunnel crossing lower Tampa Bay running from Pinellas Point to Piney Point, with the tunnel itself being buried 40 ft (12 m) under the bay and going for a length of 1,000 ft (300 m). This proposal did not get past the early planning stages, as construction costs would be high, and unspecified "Tampa officials" argued that construction of any bridge or tunnel would present a navigational hazard.^[19]

Another proposal soon originated from Louis E. Saupe, head of the West Coast Bridge and Tunnel Company. This consisted of a series of short causeways running from Maximo Point to Mullet Key on the Pinellas Country side, a tunnel running for less than 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) beneath the shipping lane near the mouth of the bay, and another causeway running to Terra Ceia on the Manatee County side. State officials prelimarily approved the project in 1939 and the state legislature agreed to fund it. However, the project designed crossed through a portion of Hillsborough County near the mouth of Tampa Bay. Since the county was not mentioned in legislation, the bill was declared unconstitutional and the project stalled.^[20]

Bail, Horton, and Associates, along with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hogan & Macdonald received a contract from the port authority on December 20, 1944, to design the bridge. Both firms released a report in November 1945 about the bridge.^[21] Freeman Horton of Bail, Horton and Associates proposed Snead Island as its southern terminus and 10th Street in Palmetto as the thoroughfare.^[22] Bail, Horton, and Associates was awarded the contract but as it was unable to get $10 million in revenue bonds, the state government halted the project sometime during the late 1940s. The design competition was reactivated again in the early 1950s with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hogan & Macdonald getting the contract this time^[21] and they ended up serving as the engineers for construction and design. The partner-in-charge for Brinckerhoff was M. N. Quade. The successful attempt for building the bridge came after the Florida State Improvement Commission was approached with a proposal that they finance it while the State Road Department (SRD) built it. The Florida's State Improvement Commission proceeded to at some point take over the St. Petersburg Port Authority's assets which included $520,000 seen with bonded indebtedness. A $21,250,000 bond issue was passed by the Improvement Commission and sales started after the Port Authority's assets were acquired.^[23]

Naming the bridge

On July 4, 1950, a day-long "Spans Across the Bay" festival was held in St. Petersburg to celebrate the approval of the long-awaited bridge and to announce its name. The St. Pete Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Florida State Road Department had conducted a nationwide contest to name the structure, with the rules dictating that it should not be named after a specific person or geographic place.^[12] Over 20,000 entries were submitted, and at the celebration on the Fourth of July, Virginia Seymore of nearby Indian Rocks Beach was announced as the winner for her submission of "Sunshine Skyway".^[16]

Construction of original bridge

Construction bids began to be accepted in July 1950^[16] and construction started on October 19, 1950^[7] with 544 workers.^[12] It was built by the Virginia Bridge Company^[24] and another firm that was involved doing engineering work was Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hall and McDonald.^[25] Staging areas for the construction of the bridge were established at both crossing sites. An entire concrete factory was established near Piney Point while prefabricated concrete parts were delivered via barge from a site in Tampa where they were made.^[16] 4,100,000 cubic yards (3,100,000 m³) of material was dredged as part of building the causeways for the bridge. To physically build the bridge, 12,104,000 lb (5,490 t) of structural steel, 8,536,700 lb (3,872 t) of rebar and 115,980 cubic yards (88,670 m³) of concrete were used.^[12]

Original bridge

The original two-lane bridge opened to traffic on September 6, 1954.^[8]^[26] At the time of the bridge's opening it was among the longest bridges on Earth and it was the longest continuous bridge in the United States.^[12] Notable participants in opening ceremonies that day were: US senator and former governor Spessard Holland, former governors Charley E. Johns and Fuller Warren along with James Melton and General James Van Fleet. Delegations from ten Florida counties participated that day.^[27] On the day the original bridge opened, it was toll free from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.^[26] A reported 15,086 cars crossed the bridge starting at 11:40 a.m. when opening ceremonies ended and 11 p.m. when the toll-free time ended.^[28]

The bridge's central span was 22,373 ft (6,819 m) long with a 864 ft (263 m) opening for a ship channel. It consisted of 32 concrete piers set every 135 ft (41 m) with the exception of the ship channel and the bridge went upwards at a 5% grade.^[8] Two lanes were used for it with no passing allowed. The original maximum speed limit was 45 mph (72 km/h) and the minimum was 35 mph (56 km/h). The lack of illumination made the bridge dark at night.^[12] The bridge was not easily accessible, however, and drivers often had to take detours to reach it. U.S. Route 19's final segment, which ended at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, opened on July 19, 1955.^[7]

Second span

In 1969, a second two-lane span was built beside the original to ease traffic and bring the bridge up to Interstate Highway standards. Opening of the newer span was delayed until 1971 for reinforcing of the south main pier, which had cracked due to insufficient supporting pile depth.^[29] It was dedicated on May 19, 1971.^[30] Both Governor Reubin Askew and the mayor of Bradenton, B.T. Arbuckle, attended the second span's dedication.^[31] The second span was used for all southbound traffic, while the original span was converted to carry only northbound traffic.

1980 collapse

A vehicle stopped just short of the collapsed portion of the bridge, May 9, 1980

The southbound span (opened in 1971) of the original bridge was destroyed on the morning of May 9, 1980, when the 606 ft (185 m) freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a support column during a sudden squall, causing the catastrophic failure of over 1,200 ft (370 m) of the span.

Several vehicles were at the top of the bridge when almost a quarter-mile of roadway fell away beneath them while others drove off the edge, either because the drivers did not notice the collapse in the driving rain or could not stop quickly enough in the wet conditions.^[32] In all, six cars, a truck, and a Greyhound bus plummeted 150 ft (46 m) into Tampa Bay, resulting in 35 deaths.^[33] A few drivers, including former Major League Baseball player Granny Hamner, were able to stop their vehicles before reaching the gap, and as seen in many photographs of the aftermath, a Buick Skylark driven by local car dealer Richard Hornbuckle skidded to a halt just two feet from the chasm.^[34]^[35]^[36]

In the water below, several small official and private boats and a transportation department diving team arrived soon after the intense but narrow squall line cleared the vicinity. However, the frantic rescue effort became a recovery operation, as only victims' bodies were found.^[37] The only survivor of the fall was Wesley MacIntire, whose Ford Courier pickup truck had bounced off the hull of the Summit Venture and into the water. The truck sank to the shallow bottom of the bay, but MacIntire managed to escape and swim to the surface, where he was quickly pulled to safety aboard the freighter.^[38] He sued the company that owned the ship and won a $175,000 settlement in 1984 ($513,000 today).^[39]

John Lerro, the veteran harbor pilot who was steering the ship at the time of the accident, was cleared of wrongdoing by both a state grand jury and a Coast Guard investigation. The investigations concluded that the inbound freighter had been in the process of maneuvering into the narrow channel under the center of the bridge when a microburst containing sudden torrential rains and 70 mph (110 km/h) winds cut visibility to near zero and temporarily rendered the ship's radar useless.^[40]^[41]^[42] Lerro put the ship's engines into full reverse and ordered the emergency dropping of the anchor when he realized that the freighter had left the channel, but the forward momentum of the 20,000-ton ship along with strong winds from astern pushed the bow into support beams to the right of the shipping lane.^[43] While the main support pier nearest to the channel withstood the strike with only minor damage, a secondary support pier just to the south was not designed to withstand such an impact and failed catastrophically, causing the entire center of the southbound span to collapse at 7:38 a.m.^[29]

Replacement bridge

Soon after the disaster, the undamaged northbound span was converted back to a two-lane, two-way bridge while the state of Florida considered proposals for a replacement. Ideas included the construction of a tunnel (which was deemed impractical due to Florida's high water table) and a simple reconstruction of the broken section of the old bridge, which would not widen the narrow shipping lane. Governor Bob Graham's idea to build a "signature" cable-stayed bridge with a span that would be 50% wider than that of the old Skyway Bridge won out over other proposals. In addition to a wider shipping lane, the channel would be marked by a 1⁄4 mi (400 m)-long series of large concrete barriers, and the support piers would be protected by massive concrete "dolphins".^[44]

Construction began in January 1983 with the pounding of pilings for the foundation, and work on the main piers began the following September. The complicated project was delayed several times by bad weather and various difficulties in construction, and the planned opening was pushed back several times.^[45]^[46] Finally, the opening ceremony was set for April 30, 1987. However, on April 29 at about 3:30 p.m., the new bridge's protective bumpers were hit head-on by the Deliverance, a 74-foot (23 m) shrimp boat. The bumper sustained minor damage and the bridge was not affected, but the vessel took on water and was towed out of the channel into shallow waters, where it promptly sank. The opening ceremonies proceeded as scheduled.^[47]

Demolition of former bridge

In 1990, the FDOT awarded a bid to Hardaway Company (owner of Controlled Demolition, Inc.) to demolish all steel and concrete sections of the older Sunshine Skyway spans.^[48] The scope of the project required that all underwater piles and piers, and surface roadway, girders, and beams, be dismantled. Special care had to be taken in removing underwater bridge elements near the channel, and the central portion of the original bridge had to be removed in one piece to minimize closure of the only approach to the busy Port of Tampa.^[49] Most of the concrete material was used to create an artificial reef near the southbound approach of the old bridge, which was converted into a long pier for newly created Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. Unused approaches to the original spans were demolished in 2008.

Wesley MacIntire, the only motorist survivor of the collapse, was the last person to drive over the intact original span before it was demolished. Accompanied by his wife, he stopped at the apex of the bridge and dropped 35 white carnations into the water, one for each person who died in the disaster.^[50]^[51]

Issues and concerns

Suicides

At least 316 people have died by suicide by jumping from the bridge or its predecessors into the waters of Tampa Bay. An estimated 48 others have survived.^[52] Many other missing persons are suspected of having jumped from the bridge, but their deaths could not be confirmed, as no bodies were recovered.

In response to the high number of suicide attempts from the bridge, Florida installed six crisis hotline phones along the center span in 1999, and began 24-hour patrols. As of 2003^[update], the call center at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay received 18 calls from potential jumpers, all of whom survived, according to a 2003 St. Petersburg Times report.^[53] However, the bridge saw an average of one jump per month, reaching a record high of 18 suicides in 2018.^[54]

In 2006, a feature film, Loren Cass, was released, which depicted a suicide jump off the Sunshine Skyway.^[55] Two years later, Sean Michael Davis of Rhino Productions was inspired by his haunting experience witnessing a woman get out of her car and immediately jump off the bridge before anyone could intervene to create a not-for-profit film titled Skyway Down. His objectives were to deter other potential jumpers by "'punch[ing] them in the face' with interviews with survivors and family members",^[56] to give them "hope and to try to de-glorify the romanticism of the bridge",^[57] in part by informing those who have "mulled a leap to know about the bloody, battered aftermath."^[56]

In 2020, the FDOT installed the Skyway Vertical Net, a vertical fence designed to deter suicide attempts.^[58] The fencing was placed atop the bridge's waist-high concrete barriers, creating an overall "wall" almost 11 ft (3.4 m) tall which runs for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) along the highest portions of the bridge.^[54] The fence is designed to dissuade potential jumpers or at least slow them down long enough that law enforcement officials can reach them. The number of jumpers has been drastically reduced since the project's completion in June 2021, with only five reported over the ensuing 29 months.^[54]^[59]

As on any Florida controlled-access highway, pedestrians and bicycles are prohibited.^[60] Stopping on the bridge for any nonemergency, including sightseeing, is prohibited. Traffic on the bridge is monitored by the Florida Highway Patrol, and a bicyclist, pedestrian, or stopped vehicle results in a police dispatch.

Corrosion

A major problem with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is corrosion of the steel in the precast concrete segmental columns on the high-level approaches. Because the segments are hollow, workers were able to enter the bridge superstructure in 2003 and 2004 to reinforce the corroded sections of the bridge, ensuring its future safety.^[61] Another problem arose around 2005–06 when several news bureaus reported paint discolorations on the bridge's cables. These paint splotches and patches were a result of touch-ups that were performed sometime in 1998, but began to show through as a result of using newer, environmentally safe paint. The change in the paint's composition caused it to fade faster than expected.

From 2006 to 2008, FDOT hired a contractor to perform the first full repainting of the bridge since it opened in 1987. The work included repainting the bridge's 42 steel cables one consistent shade of yellow and rehabilitating the lighting system at the summit of the bridge.^[62] In 2022–2023, the yellow steel cables were repainted and corrosion protection was added to the ship impact system on each side of the channel.^[63]

Low clearance

A 2014 FDOT study noted that the Skyway's low bridge clearance prevented larger vessels from using the Port Tampa Bay terminals, but made no recommendation about options, as the air draft of most new cruise ships exceeds the bridge's height limit at 180 ft (55 m).^[64] As long ago as 2000, cruise ship manufacturers have had to make special modifications for ships destined for Tampa,^[65] and newer classes of cruise ships such as the Oasis class, which has a height of 236 ft (72 m), far exceed the bridge clearance.

Traffic

Usage and tourism

The former and current bridges have been featured in various forms of media. The original Sunshine Skyway Bridge is featured in Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar and the opening credits to Superboy. The current bridge has provided the setting for several films such as Loren Cass and The Punisher. The bridge also served as plot devices to various novels such as Dennis Lehane's 1997 novel Sacred^[66] and Ben Bova's 2005 novel Powersat.^[67] The bridge is also the subject of the song "Skyway Avenue" by We the Kings.^[68] The current bridge is also a popular filming location for car commercials.^[69]

The United States Postal Service featured the bridge in 2012 on a Priority Mail postage stamp. Carl T. Hermann worked on the painting and the digital illustration was created by artist Dan Cosgrove.^[70]

In 2005, an act of the Florida Legislature officially named the current bridge the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, after the former governor of Florida and then-U.S. Senator who presided over its design and most of its construction. He reportedly was inspired to suggest the current design by a visit to France, where he saw a similar cable-stayed bridge, the Brotonne Bridge. The original bridge was dedicated to state engineer William E. Dean, as noted on a plaque displayed at the rest area at the south end of the bridge.

In November 2017, work began on installing decorative lighting to the skyway's columns, main spans, and sloped spans.^[10] The $15.6 million lighting project provides a visual aesthetic while also enhancing safety and security by providing more light to the underside of the bridge from dusk to dawn. Over 1,800 light-emitting diodes were installed along 1.7 miles (2.7 km) of the bridge, which cycle through animated routines. The lighting project was completed in October 2019 and funded by FDOT through collected toll fees.^[71]

Skyway 10K

On January 11, 1987, the Skyway Bridge opened up to 10,000 runners, joggers, and walkers before the bridge was opened to motor-vehicle traffic the following week. Runners participated in four races that ran simultaneously across the bridge, with two races going southbound and two races directed northbound. Publicity and posters for the race referred to it by the humorous title "20,000 Feet Above the Sea",^[72] a reference to the 1870 Jules Verne novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas.

On March 4, 2018, in partnership with the Armed Forces Families Foundation, the Skyway Bridge was closed for the Inaugural Skyway 10K.^[73] In contrast to the one-time race in 1987, the Skyway 10K has been held annually since 2018, with the exception of 2021, as it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was to be held virtually instead.^[74]

Gallery

Old bridge demolition

Demolition of steel and concrete girders: The truncated pier visible was the one struck by Summit Venture.
Main bridge span (secured on barge) being towed away
Blasting steel truss
Blasting concrete piers

Current bridge

The bridge at twilight
View of bridge from Fort De Soto Park
Driving on the bridge, near the peak
View of bridge heading south
View from Tampa Bay
MV Summit Venture collision incident mayday call (audio)
2023

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^ "Suit in Bridge Fall Settlement". The New York Times. May 6, 1984. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2007.
^ Heller, Jean (May 7, 2000). "Memories Stay with Man at Command of the Ship". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
^ Oliver, Myrna (September 9, 2002). "John Lerro, 59; Harbor Pilot Haunted by Role in Deadly Bridge Accident". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
^ Thalji, Jamal (May 8, 2018). "The Sunshine Skyway Bridge plunged into Tampa Bay 38 years ago". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
^ Sussingham, Robin. "Remembering the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Collapse". wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu. No. May 8, 2015. WUSF-FM. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
^ "Building big: Databank: Sunshine Skyway Bridge". PBS Online. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
^ "Manatee-Pinellas Link Has 33-Year, Often Tragic History". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. April 30, 1987. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Google News Archive.
^ "New Bridge Opens Today". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. April 30, 1987. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Google News Archive.
^ Holland, Matt (April 30, 1987). "Vessel Wrecked, but Bridge is OK; Auto Pilot Blamed". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Google News Archive.
^ "Sunshine Skyway Bridge". Controlled Demolition, Inc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
^ Meinheardt, Jane (September 8, 1991). "Demolition day nears for old Skyway". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
^ Wright, E. Lynne (2006). Disasters and Heroic Rescues of Florida. Morris Book Publishing. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-7627-3984-4.
^ "Skyway Bridge Survivor Dies of Cancer". AP NEWS. October 16, 1989. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
^ "The Sunshine Skyway Bridge Suicide Jumper Report". Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
^ Jones, Jamie (October 6, 2003). "Skyway Safeguards Don't Deter Jumpers". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c Marerro, Tony (November 30, 2023). "Sunshine Skyway suicide ends remarkable 19-month run without one". Tampa Bay Times.
^ Wilson, Jon (October 11, 2006). "Movie will have its first local viewing". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on September 8, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2007.
^ ^a ^b Sanders, Katie (June 13, 2010). "Filmmaker haunted by Sunshine Skyway bridge suicide hopes documentary will deter others". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
^ "Skyway Down: A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem; A Film Project". Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
^ Tatham, Chelsea (January 9, 2020). "FDOT to install suicide prevention barrier on Sunshine Skyway Bridge". WTSP. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
^ "I-275 Skyway Bridge Vertical Net". FDOT Tampa Bay. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
^ "Florida Statutes, Section 316.130: Pedestrians; traffic regulations". Florida Legislature. 2019. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020. Subsection 18: No pedestrian shall walk upon a limited access facility or a ramp connecting a limited-access facility to any other street or highway; however, this subsection does not apply to maintenance personnel of any governmental subdivision.
^ Garcia, Jose. "The Skyway Bridge: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
^ Ave, Melanie (July 14, 2006). "Soon, a mellow yellow". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2006. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
^ "I-275 (Sunshine Skyway Bridge) Cable Painting". Florida Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
^ Kennedy, Sara (July 8, 2014). "Study offers options for Cruise Ships too tall for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge". bradenton.com. Bradenton Herald. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
^ "Carnival". Tampa Bay Times. March 28, 2000. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
^ Lehane, Dennis (2013). Sacred (First William Morrow Paperback ed.). HarperCollins. p. 233. ISBN 9780062224040.
^ Powersat by Ben Bova, 2005: pp 56-58. TOR Books - New York http://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765348173 Archived February 13, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
^ We the Kings by We the Kings, October 2, 2007, archived from the original on July 24, 2018, retrieved July 24, 2018
^ "Filming may delay Skyway traffic". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
^ "Sunshine Skyway Bridge to be on postage stamp". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. December 30, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
^ Becnel, Thomas (August 17, 2019). "Sunshine Skyway will get colorful lighting display in October". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
^ "Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida on January 1, 1987 · 100". Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
^ "Skyway 10K". SKYWAY 10K. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
^ "Popular Skyway 10K To Go Virtual Due to COVID-19". Bay News 9. February 9, 2021. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.

External links

[1] Bergen, Katy (August 16, 2014). "If Skyway Run Gets Approval, Appeal Could Be Widespread". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.

[2] "Summary for FDOT Research Project BDV31-977-43, Sunshine Skyway Bridge Monitoring Phase 1: System Assessment and Integration Recommendations" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. December 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.

[3] "History Of the Sunshine Skyway". July 21, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019.

[FDOT-4] "Florida Bridge Information, 2024 1st Quarter" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. January 3, 2024. p. 224. Retrieved January 29, 2024.

[5] "Engineering personnel for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Construction" (JPEG). Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (Photograph). 1950–1954. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.

[6] Hartman Litho Sales Co. "Moonlight Over Sunshine Skyway Bridge". Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (Postcard). Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.

[:5-7] Wilson, Jon (2013). "A BRIDGE, A ROAD, A PLAZA". The Golden Era in St. Petersburg: Postwar Prosperity in The Sunshine City. History Press. ISBN 9781614238928. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.

[:4-8] "Tampa Bay Crossing Spans 14 Miles of Tidewater". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. August 1954. pp. 72–73 – via Google Books.

[9] "The Greatest American Bridges (& What We Can Learn from Them)". Bridge Masters. September 30, 2016. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2019.

[Skyway_LED-10] "I-275 (Sunshine Skyway Bridge) Lighting Factsheet". Florida Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2022.

[11] Long, Andrew (July 14, 2023). "Sunshine Skyway bridge drivers paying higher toll rates". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 26, 2023.

[:6-12] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Calise, Gabrielle (September 6, 2019). "The first Skyway bridge opened 66 years ago. It was a triumph. Then came the tragedy". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.

[13] Nunez, Judy Kay. "28 January 1980, Blackthorn and Capricorn: Collision with History in Tampa Bay". Florida State University Libraries. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.

[14] Zacharias, Zach (June 27, 2013). "Skyway piers are excellent spots". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. Retrieved May 27, 2024.

[:2-15] Michaels, Will (May 24, 2019). "The Bee Line Ferry". Northeast Journal. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.

[:1-16] Sitler, Nevin; Sitler, Richard (2013). "BRIDGING THE GAP". The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay. Charleston, South Carolina: History Press. ISBN 9781625840721. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.

[17] Smith, Harold (1945). "Ferry Arriving at Piney Point, Connecting Bradenton and St. Petersburg" (TIFF). Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (Postcard). Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2021.

[atlas-18] Hunsicker, Charlie; Horton, Allan. "The Road Not Taken: The History of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge" (PDF). Pinellas County Water Atlas. Pinellas County / Florida Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 22, 2024.

[19] Sitler, Nevin; Sitler, Richard (February 2013). The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay. History Press. ISBN 9781625840721. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.

[20] Wilson, Jon (2009). Shaping the Dream: A Survey of Post-World War II St. Petersburg, 1946–1963 (Thesis). University of South Florida Scholar Commons. pp. 32–33. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.

[:0-21] Hunsicker, Charlie; Horton, Allan. "The Road Not Taken: The History of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge" (PDF). Manatee County wateratlas. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.

[22] Favorite, Merab-Michal (2012). Palmetto. Arcadia Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 9780738591049. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.

[23] Fiore, M.; Hakman, P. (September–October 1955). "Sunshine Skyway Construction". The Military Engineer. 47 (319). Society of American Military Engineers: 354. JSTOR 44570487. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via JSTOR.

[24] Hartman Litho Sales Co. "Moonlight Over Sunshine Skyway Bridge". Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (Postcard). Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.

[25] "Engineering personnel for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Construction" (JPEG). Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (Photograph). 1950–1954. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.

[:3-26] "Thousands cross Sunshine Skyway Span". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. September 7, 1954. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2020 – via Google News Archive.

[27] "Ribbon Cutting at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Opening Ceremonies" (Photograph). Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (JPEG). September 6, 1954. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.

[28] "SPANNED BY 15,000 CARS". Sarasota-Herald Tribune. September 7, 1954. p. 1. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022 – via Google News Archive.

[fbs-29] "The Interstate 275 Florida Blog: The Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge". July 29, 2009. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2010.^{[self-published source]}

[30] "Dedication of the Second span of the Sunshine Skyway" (JPEG). Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (Photograph). May 19, 1971. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.

[31] "Governor Reuben O Askew at the Dedication of the Second span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge" (JPEG). Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection (Photograph). May 19, 1971. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.

[32] "A Blinding Squall, then Death". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2007.

[33] Heller, Jean (May 7, 2000). "The Day Skyway Fell: May 9, 1980". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2007.

[34] Conlin, Bill (September 15, 1993). "A Date with Fate Hamner Once Survived Collapse of Bridge over Troubled Waters". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.

[35] Clark, Roy Peter (July 8, 2021). "The taking of tolls and a final saga from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster". Tampa Bay Times.

[36] Kaiman, Kane (April 26, 2021). "Skyway memories rise to surface". The Islander. Retrieved June 26, 2022.

[37] Calise, Gabrielle (May 6, 2020). "40 years after Skyway disaster, divers can't forget what they saw underwater". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 9, 2023.

[38] "The Skyway Bridge tragedy at 40: The survivor". St. Pete Catalyst. May 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.

[39] "Suit in Bridge Fall Settlement". The New York Times. May 6, 1984. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2007.

[40] Heller, Jean (May 7, 2000). "Memories Stay with Man at Command of the Ship". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2007.

[41] Oliver, Myrna (September 9, 2002). "John Lerro, 59; Harbor Pilot Haunted by Role in Deadly Bridge Accident". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2019.

[42] Thalji, Jamal (May 8, 2018). "The Sunshine Skyway Bridge plunged into Tampa Bay 38 years ago". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.

[43] Sussingham, Robin. "Remembering the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Collapse". wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu. No. May 8, 2015. WUSF-FM. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.

[44] "Building big: Databank: Sunshine Skyway Bridge". PBS Online. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.

[45] "Manatee-Pinellas Link Has 33-Year, Often Tragic History". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. April 30, 1987. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Google News Archive.

[46] "New Bridge Opens Today". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. April 30, 1987. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Google News Archive.

[47] Holland, Matt (April 30, 1987). "Vessel Wrecked, but Bridge is OK; Auto Pilot Blamed". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Google News Archive.

[48] "Sunshine Skyway Bridge". Controlled Demolition, Inc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.

[49] Meinheardt, Jane (September 8, 1991). "Demolition day nears for old Skyway". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.

[Wright2006-50] Wright, E. Lynne (2006). Disasters and Heroic Rescues of Florida. Morris Book Publishing. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-7627-3984-4.

[51] "Skyway Bridge Survivor Dies of Cancer". AP NEWS. October 16, 1989. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.

[52] "The Sunshine Skyway Bridge Suicide Jumper Report". Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.

[53] Jones, Jamie (October 6, 2003). "Skyway Safeguards Don't Deter Jumpers". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2019.

[jumpfence-54] Marerro, Tony (November 30, 2023). "Sunshine Skyway suicide ends remarkable 19-month run without one". Tampa Bay Times.

[55] Wilson, Jon (October 11, 2006). "Movie will have its first local viewing". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on September 8, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2007.

[Katie_Sanders,_Times_Staff_Writer-56] Sanders, Katie (June 13, 2010). "Filmmaker haunted by Sunshine Skyway bridge suicide hopes documentary will deter others". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.

[57] "Skyway Down: A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem; A Film Project". Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2012.

[58] Tatham, Chelsea (January 9, 2020). "FDOT to install suicide prevention barrier on Sunshine Skyway Bridge". WTSP. Retrieved January 28, 2020.

[59] "I-275 Skyway Bridge Vertical Net". FDOT Tampa Bay. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

[60] "Florida Statutes, Section 316.130: Pedestrians; traffic regulations". Florida Legislature. 2019. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020. Subsection 18: No pedestrian shall walk upon a limited access facility or a ramp connecting a limited-access facility to any other street or highway; however, this subsection does not apply to maintenance personnel of any governmental subdivision.

[Garcia-61] Garcia, Jose. "The Skyway Bridge: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2007.

[62] Ave, Melanie (July 14, 2006). "Soon, a mellow yellow". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2006. Retrieved January 28, 2020.

[63] "I-275 (Sunshine Skyway Bridge) Cable Painting". Florida Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.

[64] Kennedy, Sara (July 8, 2014). "Study offers options for Cruise Ships too tall for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge". bradenton.com. Bradenton Herald. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.

[65] "Carnival". Tampa Bay Times. March 28, 2000. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

[66] Lehane, Dennis (2013). Sacred (First William Morrow Paperback ed.). HarperCollins. p. 233. ISBN 9780062224040.

[67] Powersat by Ben Bova, 2005: pp 56-58. TOR Books - New York http://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765348173 Archived February 13, 2019, at the Wayback Machine

[68] We the Kings by We the Kings, October 2, 2007, archived from the original on July 24, 2018, retrieved July 24, 2018

[69] "Filming may delay Skyway traffic". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 26, 2024.

[70] "Sunshine Skyway Bridge to be on postage stamp". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. December 30, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.

[71] Becnel, Thomas (August 17, 2019). "Sunshine Skyway will get colorful lighting display in October". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.

[72] "Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida on January 1, 1987 · 100". Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

[73] "Skyway 10K". SKYWAY 10K. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

[74] "Popular Skyway 10K To Go Virtual Due to COVID-19". Bay News 9. February 9, 2021. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Bridge over Tampa Bay, Florida, United States}}
 {{Distinguish|Sunshine Bridge}}
+{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}}
 {{Infobox bridge
@@ Line 29: / Line 30: @@
 | load                =
 | clearance_above     = <!-- clearance above is unlimited as none of the tower structure goes over the roadway on the 1987 cable-stayed bridge -->
-| clearance_below     = {{cvt|180.5|ft|m|0}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/content/structures/structuresresearchcenter/project-summaries/2016/fdot-bdv31-977-43-sum.pdf |title=Summary for FDOT Research Project BDV31-977-43, Sunshine Skyway Bridge Monitoring Phase 1: System Assessment and Integration Recommendations |website=Florida Department of Transportation |date=December 2016 |accessdate=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025044644/https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/content/structures/structuresresearchcenter/project-summaries/2016/fdot-bdv31-977-43-sum.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
+| clearance_below     = {{cvt|181|ft|m|0}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/content/structures/structuresresearchcenter/project-summaries/2016/fdot-bdv31-977-43-sum.pdf |title=Summary for FDOT Research Project BDV31-977-43, Sunshine Skyway Bridge Monitoring Phase 1: System Assessment and Integration Recommendations |website=Florida Department of Transportation |date=December 2016 |accessdate=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025044644/https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/content/structures/structuresresearchcenter/project-summaries/2016/fdot-bdv31-977-43-sum.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
 | lanes               = 4
 | life                =
@@ Line 37: / Line 38: @@
 | builder             = [[American Bridge Company]]
 | fabricator          =
-| begin               = June 1982<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://greenbenchmonthly.com/st-petersburg-history/history-of-the-sunshine-skyway/ |title=History Of the Sunshine Skyway |date=July 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109071424/https://greenbenchmonthly.com/st-petersburg-history/history-of-the-sunshine-skyway/ |archive-date=2019-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aaroads.com/florida/sunshine-skyway/ |title=Sunshine Skyway Bridge – AA Roads |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109072417/https://www.aaroads.com/florida/sunshine-skyway/ |archive-date=2019-11-09}}</ref><!--For simplicity, this infobox will be for the 1987 current bridge. -->
+| begin               = June 1982<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://greenbenchmonthly.com/st-petersburg-history/history-of-the-sunshine-skyway/ |title=History Of the Sunshine Skyway |date=July 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109071424/https://greenbenchmonthly.com/st-petersburg-history/history-of-the-sunshine-skyway/ |archive-date=2019-11-09}}</ref><!--For simplicity, this infobox will be for the 1987 current bridge. -->
 | complete            =
 | cost                = $244 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|244|1982|fmt=c|r=0}} million in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars)
@@ Line 76: / Line 77: @@
 }}
-The '''Sunshine Skyway Bridge''', sometimes referred to as the '''Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge''', the '''Sunshine Skyway''', or simply "'''the Skyway'''", is a pair of long [[beam bridge]]s with a central tall [[cable-stayed bridge]] that spans [[Tampa Bay|Lower Tampa Bay]] to connect [[Pinellas County]] ([[St. Petersburg, Florida]]) to [[Manatee County]] ([[Terra Ceia, Florida]]). The current Sunshine Skyway opened in 1987 and is the second bridge of that name on the site. It was designed by the Figg & Muller Engineering Group and built by the [[American Bridge Company]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Greatest American Bridges (& What We Can Learn from Them) |url=https://bridgemastersinc.com/greatest-american-bridges/ |date=September 30, 2016 |website=Bridge Masters |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506111155/https://bridgemastersinc.com/greatest-american-bridges/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The bridge is considered the flagship bridge of Florida and serves as a gateway to Tampa Bay.<ref name="Skyway LED">{{cite web |publisher=Florida Department of Transportation |url=http://www.fdottampabay.com/factsheet/218 |title=I-275 (Sunshine Skyway Bridge) Lighting Factsheet |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025044515/https://www.fdottampabay.com/factsheet/218 |url-status=live}}</ref> The four-lane bridge carries [[Interstate 275 (Florida)|Interstate 275]] and [[U.S. Route 19 in Florida|U.S. Route 19]], passing through [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]], [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] and [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee County]]. It is a [[toll bridge]], with a toll assessed on two-axle vehicles traveling in either direction at a rate of $1.75 cash or $1.16 with the state's [[SunPass]] system.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunshine Skyway bridge drivers paying higher toll rates |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2023/07/14/sunshine-skyway-toll-rates-turnpike-increase/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |first1=Andrew |last1=Long |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref>
+The '''Sunshine Skyway Bridge''', officially referred to as the '''Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge''', is a pair of long [[beam bridge]]s with a central tall [[cable-stayed bridge]]. It spans [[Tampa Bay|Lower Tampa Bay]] to connect [[Pinellas County]] ([[St. Petersburg, Florida]]) to [[Manatee County]] ([[Terra Ceia, Florida]]). The current Sunshine Skyway opened in 1987 and is the second bridge of that name on the site. It was designed by the Figg & Muller Engineering Group and built by the [[American Bridge Company]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Greatest American Bridges (& What We Can Learn from Them) |url=https://bridgemastersinc.com/greatest-american-bridges/ |date=September 30, 2016 |website=Bridge Masters |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506111155/https://bridgemastersinc.com/greatest-american-bridges/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The bridge is considered the flagship bridge of Florida and serves as a gateway to Tampa Bay.<ref name="Skyway LED">{{cite web |publisher=Florida Department of Transportation |url=http://www.fdottampabay.com/factsheet/218 |title=I-275 (Sunshine Skyway Bridge) Lighting Factsheet |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025044515/https://www.fdottampabay.com/factsheet/218 |url-status=live}}</ref> The four-lane bridge carries [[Interstate 275 (Florida)|Interstate 275]] and [[U.S. Route 19 in Florida|U.S. Route 19]], passing through [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]], [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] and [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee County]]. It is a [[toll bridge]], with a toll assessed on two-axle vehicles traveling in either direction at a rate of $1.75 cash or $1.16 with the state's [[SunPass]] system.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunshine Skyway bridge drivers paying higher toll rates |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2023/07/14/sunshine-skyway-toll-rates-turnpike-increase/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |first1=Andrew |last1=Long |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref>
+The original Sunshine Skyway was a two-lane [[beam bridge]] with a central [[truss bridge]] built directly to the west of the current structure. It was completed in 1954, and a second two-lane span opened in 1971.<ref name=":6" /> The original bridge was the site of two major maritime disasters in 1980, the second of which resulted in its partial destruction. The first incident was on the night of January 28, when the [[United States Coast Guard]] cutter {{USCGC|Blackthorn|WLB-391|2}} collided with the tanker ''Capricorn'' in the western approach to the bridge, resulting in the sinking of the cutter with the loss of 23 crew members in the worst peacetime disaster in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard. The second incident came on the morning of May 9, 1980, when the freighter [[MV Summit Venture|MV ''Summit Venture'']] collided with a support pier near the center of the bridge during a sudden [[squall]], resulting in the catastrophic failure of the southbound roadway and the deaths of 35 people when several vehicles, including a [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] bus, plunged into Tampa Bay.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunez |first1=Judy Kay |title=28 January 1980, Blackthorn and Capricorn: Collision with History in Tampa Bay |url=http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:180688/datastream/PDF/view |publisher=Florida State University Libraries |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215902/http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:180688/datastream/PDF/view |url-status=live}}</ref> Traffic was diverted onto the surviving two-lane span for several years until the replacement Skyway Bridge was completed, at which time the old bridge was partially demolished and converted into two<ref>{{cite news |last=Zacharias |first=Zach |date=2013-06-27 |title=Skyway piers are excellent spots |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2013/06/27/skyway-piers-are-excellent-spots/29184011007/ |work=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]] |location=Sarasota, Florida |access-date=2024-05-27}}</ref> long [[Pier#Fishing piers|fishing piers]].
-The original Sunshine Skyway was a two-lane [[beam bridge]] with a central [[truss bridge]] built directly to the west of the current structure. It was completed in 1954, and a second span was added in 1971.<ref name=":6" />
+The channel beneath the main span of the Skyway allows access to [[Port Tampa Bay]], [[Port Tampa]], the [[Port of St. Petersburg]], and [[SeaPort Manatee]], making it one of the busiest shipping lanes in the United States. Owing to the 1980 disaster, the current bridge incorporates numerous safety features to protect the structure from ship collisions.
-The original Skyway was the site of two major maritime disasters over a four-month period, the second of which resulted in its partial destruction. The first incident was on the night of January 28, 1980, when the [[United States Coast Guard]] cutter {{USCGC|Blackthorn|WLB-391|2}} collided with the tanker ''Capricorn'' in the western approach to the bridge, resulting in the sinking of the cutter with the loss of 23 crew members in the worst peacetime disaster in the history of the US Coast Guard. The second incident came on the morning of May 9, 1980, when the freighter [[MV Summit Venture|MV ''Summit Venture'']] collided with a support pier near the center of the bridge during a sudden [[squall]], resulting in the catastrophic failure of the southbound roadway and the deaths of 35 people when several vehicles, including a [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] bus, plunged into Tampa Bay.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunez |first1=Judy Kay |title=28 January 1980, Blackthorn and Capricorn: Collision with History in Tampa Bay |url=http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:180688/datastream/PDF/view |publisher=Florida State University Libraries |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215902/http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:180688/datastream/PDF/view |url-status=live}}</ref> Traffic was diverted onto the surviving two-lane span for several years until the replacement Skyway Bridge was completed, at which time the old bridge was partially demolished and converted into a long [[Pier#Fishing piers|fishing pier]]. Owing to the incident, the current bridge incorporates numerous safety features to protect the structure from ship collisions, as it spans a narrow channel into one of the busiest shipping lanes in the United States.
 ==History==
@@ Line 88: / Line 89: @@
 A physiotherapist from St. Petersburg named Herman Simmonds proposed building a "high-level suspension bridge" in 1926.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Jon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2aB2CQAAQBAJ |title=The Golden Era in St. Petersburg: Postwar Prosperity in The Sunshine City |publisher=History Press |year=2013 |chapter=A BRIDGE, A ROAD, A PLAZA |isbn=9781614238928 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416021126/https://books.google.com/books?id=2aB2CQAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> Sometime during 1927, Simmonds received congressional approval and a permit from the [[United States Department of War|US War Department]] to build a bridge, but efforts were put on hold due to the [[Great Depression]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Sitler |first1=Nevin |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bKN_CQAAQBAJ&dq=Freeman+Horton+skyway&pg=PT43 |title=The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay |last2=Sitler |first2=Richard |publisher=History Press |year=2013 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |chapter=BRIDGING THE GAP |isbn=9781625840721 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416021124/https://books.google.com/books?id=bKN_CQAAQBAJ&dq=Freeman+Horton+skyway&pg=PT43 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-The [[Florida Legislature]] gave the Bee Line Ferry a franchise for 50 years to operate in 1929.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Harold |date=1945 |title=Ferry Arriving at Piney Point, Connecting Bradenton and St. Petersburg |url=https://mymanatee.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll4/id/323/rec/1 |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2021 |website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection |type=Postcard |format=TIFF |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182841/https://mymanatee.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll4/id/323/rec/1}}</ref> Another unsuccessful proposal to build a crossing occurred in 1929 when a bill was introduced into the state legislature to build a tunnel crossing lower Tampa Bay running from Pinellas Point to Piney Point, with the tunnel itself being buried {{cvt|40|ft|m}} under the bay and going for a length of {{cvt|1,000|ft|m}}. This proposal was not successful in the end, though, with unspecified "Tampa officials" arguing that any bridge or tunnel would be a navigational hazard during periods of wartime.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sitler |first1=Nevin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bKN_CQAAQBAJ |title=The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay |last2=Sitler |first2=Richard |publisher=History Press |date=February 2013 |isbn=9781625840721 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416021127/https://books.google.com/books?id=bKN_CQAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>
+In 1929, the [[Florida Legislature]] gave the Bee Line Ferry a 50-year franchise to operate a service between Pinellas and Manatee Counties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Harold |date=1945 |title=Ferry Arriving at Piney Point, Connecting Bradenton and St. Petersburg |url=https://mymanatee.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll4/id/323/rec/1 |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2021 |website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection |type=Postcard |format=TIFF |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182841/https://mymanatee.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll4/id/323/rec/1}}</ref> The service gradually expanded during the 1930s, and by the end of the decade, Bee Line operated four boats which departed every 30 minutes in the winter and every 45 minutes in the summer during daylight hours, weather permitting.<ref name=":2" /><ref name ="atlas"/> During its last full year of operation in 1941, Bee Line carried almost 100,000 vehicles and thousands of passengers.<ref name="atlas">{{cite web |last1=Hunsicker |first1=Charlie |last2=Horton |first2=Allan |title=The Road Not Taken: The History of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge |url=https://pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HistoryofSunshineSkyway.pdf |website=Pinellas County Water Atlas |publisher=Pinellas County / Florida Department of Transportation |access-date=August 22, 2024 |format=PDF}}</ref> However, ferries stopped running in 1942 when many employees were called to serve and the boats were converted to milatry use as part of the [[United States home front during World War II|World War II war effort]].<ref name="atlas"/> In 1944, the St. Petersburg Port Authority bought the franchise from Bee Lee and resumed ferry service, albeit on a smaller scale until the end of the war. Regular ferry service would continue until the Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened a decade later.<ref name=":1" />
+During the same period, there were several preliminary proposals to build a tunnel or a series of bridges across the mouth of Tampa Bay. In 1929, a bill was introduced in the Florida legislature to build a tunnel crossing lower Tampa Bay running from Pinellas Point to Piney Point, with the tunnel itself being buried {{cvt|40|ft|m}} under the bay and going for a length of {{cvt|1,000|ft|m}}. This proposal did not get past the early planning stages, as construction costs would be high, and unspecified "Tampa officials" argued that construction of any bridge or tunnel would present a navigational hazard.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sitler |first1=Nevin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bKN_CQAAQBAJ |title=The Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Spanning Tampa Bay |last2=Sitler |first2=Richard |publisher=History Press |date=February 2013 |isbn=9781625840721 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416021127/https://books.google.com/books?id=bKN_CQAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>
-The ferry service continued to expand, with the ''Fred D. Doty'' replaced by another ferry called the ''Manatee'' in 1932. A fourth vessel, the ''Sarasota'', was bought and put into service in 1937. Ferries departed every 30 minutes between 7:30&nbsp;a.m. and 9:00&nbsp;p.m. during the winter. In the summer, they departed every 45 minutes.<ref name=":2" /> The ferry company ceased operating when the federal government confiscated the boats as they needed them for the [[United States home front during World War II|World War II war effort]] in 1942.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Hunsicker |first1=Charlie |last2=Horton |first2=Allan |title=The Road Not Taken: The History of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge |url=https://manatee.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HistoryofSunshineSkyway.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2021 |website=Manatee County wateratlas |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928223103/https://manatee.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HistoryofSunshineSkyway.pdf}}</ref>
-At close to the same time when the proposal from Simmonds ended, another proposal originating from Louis E. Saupe emerged. Saupe, the head of the West Coast Bridge and Tunnel Co., wanted a combination of a causeway and a tunnel. The causeway portion would go from Maximo Point to Mullet Key, while the tunnel portion would run for less than {{convert|1/2|mile}} before transitioning to a causeway until reaching Terra Ceia. Pinellas County commissioners liked the idea and agreed to it. In 1939, they pushed state officials to approve it, and the state legislature agreed to back it. Since the bridge would cross into part of Hillsborough County, which was not included in the bill for the bridge, it was declared unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Jon |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1087&context=etd |title=Shaping the Dream: A Survey of Post-World War II St. Petersburg, 1946–1963 |publisher=University of South Florida Scholar Commons |year=2009 |pages=32–33 |type=Thesis |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930135901/https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1087&context=etd |url-status=live}}</ref>
+Another proposal soon originated from Louis E. Saupe, head of the West Coast Bridge and Tunnel Company. This consisted of a series of short causeways running from Maximo Point to Mullet Key on the Pinellas Country side, a tunnel running for less than {{convert|1/2|mile}} beneath the shipping lane near the mouth of the bay, and another causeway running to Terra Ceia on the Manatee County side. State officials prelimarily approved the project in 1939 and the state legislature agreed to fund it. However, the project designed crossed through a portion of Hillsborough County near the mouth of Tampa Bay. Since the county was not mentioned in legislation, the bill was declared unconstitutional and the project stalled.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Jon |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1087&context=etd |title=Shaping the Dream: A Survey of Post-World War II St. Petersburg, 1946–1963 |publisher=University of South Florida Scholar Commons |year=2009 |pages=32–33 |type=Thesis |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930135901/https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1087&context=etd |url-status=live}}</ref>
+Bail, Horton, and Associates, along with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hogan & Macdonald received a contract from the port authority on December 20, 1944, to design the bridge. Both firms released a report in November 1945 about the bridge.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Hunsicker |first1=Charlie |last2=Horton |first2=Allan |title=The Road Not Taken: The History of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge |url=https://manatee.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HistoryofSunshineSkyway.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2021 |website=Manatee County wateratlas |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928223103/https://manatee.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HistoryofSunshineSkyway.pdf}}</ref> Freeman Horton of Bail, Horton and Associates proposed [[Snead Island]] as its southern terminus and 10th Street in Palmetto as the thoroughfare.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Favorite |first=Merab-Michal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9si_jdPk0Z0C&q=SKYWAY |title=Palmetto |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2012 |pages=44 |isbn=9780738591049 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416021124/https://books.google.com/books?id=9si_jdPk0Z0C&q=SKYWAY |url-status=live}}</ref> Bail, Horton, and Associates was awarded the contract but as it was unable to get $10 million in [[revenue bond]]s, the state government halted the project sometime during the late 1940s. The design competition was reactivated again in the early 1950s with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hogan & Macdonald getting the contract this time<ref name=":0" /> and they ended up serving as the engineers for construction and design. The partner-in-charge for Brinckerhoff was M. N. Quade. The successful attempt for building the bridge came after the Florida State Improvement Commission was approached with a proposal that they finance it while the State Road Department (SRD) built it. The Florida's State Improvement Commission proceeded to at some point take over the St. Petersburg Port Authority's assets which included $520,000 seen with bonded indebtedness. A $21,250,000 bond issue was passed by the Improvement Commission and sales started after the Port Authority's assets were acquired.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fiore |first1=M. |last2=Hakman |first2=P. |date=September–October 1955 |title=Sunshine Skyway Construction |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44570487 |journal=The Military Engineer |publisher=Society of American Military Engineers |volume=47 |issue=319 |pages=354 |jstor=44570487 |via=JSTOR |access-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003163344/https://www.jstor.org/stable/44570487 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-In 1944, the St. Petersburg Port Authority bought the franchise from the company that operated the ferry. They continued to operate the ferry until the opening of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.<ref name=":1" />
-Bail, Horton, and Associates, along with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hogan & Macdonald received a contract from the port authority on December 20, 1944, to design the bridge. Both firms released a report in November 1945 about the bridge.<ref name=":0" /> Freeman Horton of Bail, Horton and Associates proposed [[Snead Island]] as its southern terminus and 10th Street in Palmetto as the thoroughfare.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Favorite |first=Merab-Michal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9si_jdPk0Z0C&q=SKYWAY |title=Palmetto |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2012 |pages=44 |isbn=9780738591049 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416021124/https://books.google.com/books?id=9si_jdPk0Z0C&q=SKYWAY |url-status=live}}</ref> Bail, Horton, and Associates was awarded the contract but as it was unable to get $10 million in [[revenue bond]]s, the state government halted the project sometime during the late 1940s. The design competition was reactivated again in the early 1950s with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hogan & Macdonald getting the contract this time<ref name=":0" /> and they ended up serving as the engineers for construction and design. The partner-in-charge for Brinckerhoff was M. N. Quade. The successful attempt for building the bridge came after the Florida State Improvement Commission was approached with a proposal that they finance it while the State Road Department (SRD) built it. The Florida's State Improvement Commission proceeded to at some point take over the St. Petersburg Port Authority's assets which included $520,000 seen with bonded indebtedness. A $21,250,000 bond issue was passed by the Improvement Commission and sales started after the Port Authority's assets were acquired.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fiore |first1=M. |last2=Hakman |first2=P. |date=September–October 1955 |title=Sunshine Skyway Construction |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44570487 |journal=The Military Engineer |publisher=Society of American Military Engineers |volume=47 |issue=319 |pages=354 |jstor=44570487 |via=JSTOR |access-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003163344/https://www.jstor.org/stable/44570487 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 ====Naming the bridge====
@@ Line 111: / Line 110: @@
 === Second span ===
-In 1969, a second two-lane span was built beside the original to ease traffic and bring the bridge up to [[Interstate Highway standards]]. Opening of the newer span was delayed until 1971 for reinforcing of the south main pier, which had cracked due to insufficient [[Deep foundation|supporting pile]] depth.<ref name="fbs">{{Cite web |url=http://interstate275florida.blogspot.com/2009/07/old-sunshine-skyway-bridge.html |title=The Interstate 275 Florida Blog: The Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge |date=July 29, 2009 |access-date=October 16, 2010 |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228100733/http://interstate275florida.blogspot.com/2009/07/old-sunshine-skyway-bridge.html |url-status=live}}{{sps|certain=y|date=May 2016}}</ref> It was dedicated on May 19, 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 1971 |title=Dedication of the Second span of the Sunshine Skyway |url=https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8207/rec/1 |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection |type=Photograph |format=JPEG |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172638/https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8207/rec/1}}</ref> Both Governor [[Reubin Askew|Reuben Askew]] and the mayor of Bradenton, B.T. Arbuckle, attended the second span's dedication.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 1971 |title=Governor Reuben O Askew at the Dedication of the Second span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge |url=https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8211/rec/3 |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection |type=Photograph |format=JPEG |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172638/https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8211/rec/3}}</ref> The second span was used for all southbound traffic, while the original span was converted to carry only northbound traffic.
+In 1969, a second two-lane span was built beside the original to ease traffic and bring the bridge up to [[Interstate Highway standards]]. Opening of the newer span was delayed until 1971 for reinforcing of the south main pier, which had cracked due to insufficient [[Deep foundation|supporting pile]] depth.<ref name="fbs">{{Cite web |url=http://interstate275florida.blogspot.com/2009/07/old-sunshine-skyway-bridge.html |title=The Interstate 275 Florida Blog: The Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge |date=July 29, 2009 |access-date=October 16, 2010 |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228100733/http://interstate275florida.blogspot.com/2009/07/old-sunshine-skyway-bridge.html |url-status=live}}{{sps|certain=y|date=May 2016}}</ref> It was dedicated on May 19, 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 1971 |title=Dedication of the Second span of the Sunshine Skyway |url=https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8207/rec/1 |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection |type=Photograph |format=JPEG |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172638/https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8207/rec/1}}</ref> Both Governor [[Reubin Askew]] and the mayor of Bradenton, B.T. Arbuckle, attended the second span's dedication.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 1971 |title=Governor Reuben O Askew at the Dedication of the Second span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge |url=https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8211/rec/3 |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection |type=Photograph |format=JPEG |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024172638/https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll1/id/8211/rec/3}}</ref> The second span was used for all southbound traffic, while the original span was converted to carry only northbound traffic.
 === 1980 collapse ===
@@ Line 122: / Line 121: @@
 In the water below, several small official and private boats and a transportation department [[diving team]] arrived soon after the intense but narrow squall line cleared the vicinity. However, the frantic rescue effort became a recovery operation, as only victims' bodies were found.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Calise |first1=Gabrielle |title=40 years after Skyway disaster, divers can't forget what they saw underwater |url=https://www.tampabay.com/narratives/2020/05/06/40-years-after-the-skyway-bridge-disaster-divers-cant-forget-what-they-saw-underwater/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=May 6, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The only survivor of the fall was Wesley MacIntire, whose [[Ford Courier]] pickup truck had bounced off the hull of the ''Summit Venture'' and into the water. The truck sank to the shallow bottom of the bay, but MacIntire managed to escape and swim to the surface, where he was quickly pulled to safety aboard the freighter.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Skyway Bridge tragedy at 40: The survivor |work=St. Pete Catalyst |date=May 8, 2020 |url=https://stpetecatalyst.com/the-skyway-tragedy-at-40-the-survivor/ |access-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813082939/https://stpetecatalyst.com/the-skyway-tragedy-at-40-the-survivor/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He sued the company that owned the ship and won a $175,000 settlement in 1984 (${{Inflation|US|175000|1984|r=-3|fmt=c}} today).<ref>{{cite news |title=Suit in Bridge Fall Settlement |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 6, 1984 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902E0DE1138F935A35756C0A962948260 |access-date=February 1, 2007 |archive-date=March 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311013112/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902E0DE1138F935A35756C0A962948260 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-John Lerro, the veteran [[Maritime pilot|harbor pilot]] who was steering the ship at the time of the accident, was cleared of wrongdoing by both a state [[grand jury]] and a [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] investigation. The investigations concluded that the inbound freighter had been in the process of maneuvering into the narrow channel under the center of the bridge when a [[Downburst|microburst]] containing sudden torrential rains and {{cvt|70|mph}} winds cut visibility to near zero and temporarily rendered the ship's radar useless.<ref>{{cite news |title=Memories Stay with Man at Command of the Ship |work=St. Petersburg Times |first=Jean |last=Heller |date=May 7, 2000 |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/050700/TampaBay/Memories_stay_with_ma.shtml |access-date=July 4, 2007 |archive-date=December 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211181331/http://www.sptimes.com/News/050700/TampaBay/Memories_stay_with_ma.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Oliver |first1=Myrna |title=John Lerro, 59; Harbor Pilot Haunted by Role in Deadly Bridge Accident |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep/09/local/me-lerro9 |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=9 September 2002 |archive-date=October 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014075453/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep/09/local/me-lerro9 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thalji |first1=Jamal |title=The Sunshine Skyway Bridge plunged into Tampa Bay 38 years ago |url=http://www.tampabay.com/photos/2018/05/09/the-sunshine-skyway-bridge-plunged-into-tampa-bay-38-years-ago/ |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=May 8, 2018 |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213184951/http://www.tampabay.com/photos/2018/05/09/the-sunshine-skyway-bridge-plunged-into-tampa-bay-38-years-ago/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Lerro put the ship's engines into full reverse and ordered the emergency dropping of the anchor when he realized that the freighter had left the channel, but the forward momentum of the 20,000-ton ship along with strong winds from astern pushed the bow into support beams to the right of the shipping lane.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sussingham |first1=Robin |title=Remembering the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Collapse |url=http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/remembering-sunshine-skyway-bridge-collapse |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu |issue=May 8, 2015 |publisher=WUSF-FM |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214002929/http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/remembering-sunshine-skyway-bridge-collapse |url-status=live}}</ref> While the main support pier nearest to the channel withstood the strike with only minor damage, a secondary support pier just to the south was not designed to withstand such an impact and failed catastrophically, causing the entire center of the southbound span to collapse at 7:38&nbsp;a.m.<ref name="fbs" />
+John Lerro, the veteran [[Maritime pilot|harbor pilot]] who was steering the ship at the time of the accident, was cleared of wrongdoing by both a state [[grand jury]] and a [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] investigation. The investigations concluded that the inbound freighter had been in the process of maneuvering into the narrow channel under the center of the bridge when a [[Downburst|microburst]] containing sudden torrential rains and {{cvt|70|mph}} winds cut visibility to near zero and temporarily rendered the ship's radar useless.<ref>{{cite news |title=Memories Stay with Man at Command of the Ship |work=St. Petersburg Times |first=Jean |last=Heller |date=May 7, 2000 |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/050700/TampaBay/Memories_stay_with_ma.shtml |access-date=July 4, 2007 |archive-date=December 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211181331/http://www.sptimes.com/News/050700/TampaBay/Memories_stay_with_ma.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Oliver |first1=Myrna |title=John Lerro, 59; Harbor Pilot Haunted by Role in Deadly Bridge Accident |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-09-me-lerro9-story.html |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=9 September 2002 |archive-date=October 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014075453/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep/09/local/me-lerro9 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thalji |first1=Jamal |title=The Sunshine Skyway Bridge plunged into Tampa Bay 38 years ago |url=https://www.tampabay.com/photos/2018/05/09/the-sunshine-skyway-bridge-plunged-into-tampa-bay-38-years-ago/ |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=May 8, 2018 |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213184951/http://www.tampabay.com/photos/2018/05/09/the-sunshine-skyway-bridge-plunged-into-tampa-bay-38-years-ago/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Lerro put the ship's engines into full reverse and ordered the emergency dropping of the anchor when he realized that the freighter had left the channel, but the forward momentum of the 20,000-ton ship along with strong winds from astern pushed the bow into support beams to the right of the shipping lane.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sussingham |first1=Robin |title=Remembering the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Collapse |url=http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/remembering-sunshine-skyway-bridge-collapse |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu |issue=May 8, 2015 |publisher=WUSF-FM |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214002929/http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/remembering-sunshine-skyway-bridge-collapse |url-status=live}}</ref> While the main support pier nearest to the channel withstood the strike with only minor damage, a secondary support pier just to the south was not designed to withstand such an impact and failed catastrophically, causing the entire center of the southbound span to collapse at 7:38&nbsp;a.m.<ref name="fbs" />
 === Replacement bridge ===
@@ Line 130: / Line 129: @@
 === Demolition of former bridge ===
-In 1990, the FDOT awarded a bid to Hardaway Company (owner of [[Controlled Demolition, Inc.]]) to demolish all steel and concrete sections of the older Sunshine Skyway spans.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=July 29, 2019 |title=Sunshine Skyway Bridge |website=Controlled Demolition, Inc. |url=http://www.controlled-demolition.com/sunshine-skyway-bridge |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729124304/http://www.controlled-demolition.com/sunshine-skyway-bridge |url-status=live}}</ref> The scope of the project required that all underwater piles and piers, and surface roadway, girders, and beams, be dismantled. Special care had to be taken in removing underwater bridge elements near the channel, and the central portion of the original bridge had to be removed in one piece to minimize closure of the only approach to the busy [[Port Tampa Bay|Port of Tampa]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=April 7, 2020 |title=Demolition day nears for old Skyway |url=https://tampabay.com/archive/1991/09/08/demolition-day-nears-for-old-skyway/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |date=September 8, 1991 |last1=Meinheardt |first1=Jane |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407154948/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/09/08/demolition-day-nears-for-old-skyway/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the concrete material was used to create an [[artificial reef]] near the southbound approach of the old bridge, which was converted into a long pier for newly created [[Skyway Fishing Pier State Park]]. Unused approaches to the original spans were demolished in 2008.
+In 1990, the FDOT awarded a bid to Hardaway Company (owner of [[Controlled Demolition, Inc.]]) to demolish all steel and concrete sections of the older Sunshine Skyway spans.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=July 29, 2019 |title=Sunshine Skyway Bridge |website=Controlled Demolition, Inc. |url=http://www.controlled-demolition.com/sunshine-skyway-bridge |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729124304/http://www.controlled-demolition.com/sunshine-skyway-bridge |url-status=live}}</ref> The scope of the project required that all underwater piles and piers, and surface roadway, girders, and beams, be dismantled. Special care had to be taken in removing underwater bridge elements near the channel, and the central portion of the original bridge had to be removed in one piece to minimize closure of the only approach to the busy [[Port Tampa Bay|Port of Tampa]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=April 7, 2020 |title=Demolition day nears for old Skyway |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/09/08/demolition-day-nears-for-old-skyway/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |date=September 8, 1991 |last1=Meinheardt |first1=Jane |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407154948/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/09/08/demolition-day-nears-for-old-skyway/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the concrete material was used to create an [[artificial reef]] near the southbound approach of the old bridge, which was converted into a long pier for newly created [[Skyway Fishing Pier State Park]]. Unused approaches to the original spans were demolished in 2008.
 Wesley MacIntire, the only motorist survivor of the collapse, was the last person to drive over the intact original span before it was demolished. Accompanied by his wife, he stopped at the apex of the bridge and dropped 35 white carnations into the water, one for each person who died in the disaster.<ref name=Wright2006>{{cite book |last=Wright |first=E. Lynne |year=2006 |title=Disasters and Heroic Rescues of Florida |page=111 |publisher=Morris Book Publishing |isbn=978-0-7627-3984-4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 16, 1989 |title=Skyway Bridge Survivor Dies of Cancer |url=https://apnews.com/article/3ab5accbd93e70867e3aaf16b42e1340 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326221415/https://apnews.com/article/3ab5accbd93e70867e3aaf16b42e1340 |url-status=live}}</ref>
@@ Line 152: / Line 151: @@
 ===Low clearance===
-A 2014 FDOT study noted that the Skyway's low bridge clearance prevented larger vessels from using the [[Port Tampa Bay]] terminals, but made no recommendation about options, as the [[air draft]] of most new cruise ships exceeds the bridge's height limit at {{cvt|180|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Sara |url=http://www.bradenton.com/news/business/port-manatee/article34721970.html |title=Study offers options for Cruise Ships too tall for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge |date=July 8, 2014 |website=bradenton.com |publisher=Bradenton Herald |access-date=February 12, 2018 |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212184730/http://www.bradenton.com/news/business/port-manatee/article34721970.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
+A 2014 FDOT study noted that the Skyway's low bridge clearance prevented larger vessels from using the [[Port Tampa Bay]] terminals, but made no recommendation about options, as the [[air draft]] of most new cruise ships exceeds the bridge's height limit at {{cvt|180|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Sara |url=http://www.bradenton.com/news/business/port-manatee/article34721970.html |title=Study offers options for Cruise Ships too tall for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge |date=July 8, 2014 |website=bradenton.com |publisher=Bradenton Herald |access-date=February 12, 2018 |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212184730/http://www.bradenton.com/news/business/port-manatee/article34721970.html |url-status=live}}</ref> As long ago as 2000, cruise ship manufacturers have had to make special modifications for ships destined for Tampa,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=2000-03-28 |title=Carnival |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/29287489/ |work=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |access-date=2024-05-08}}</ref> and newer classes of cruise ships such as the [[Oasis-class cruise ship|Oasis class]], which has a height of {{cvt|236|ft|m}}, far exceed the bridge clearance.
 ==Traffic==
@@ Line 165: / Line 164: @@
 ===Skyway 10K===
-On January 11, 1987, the Skyway Bridge opened up to 10,000 runners, joggers, and walkers before the bridge was opened to motor-vehicle traffic the following week. Runners participated in four races that ran simultaneously across the bridge, with two races going southbound and two races directed northbound.  Publicity and posters for the race referred to it by the humorous title "20,000 Feet Above the Sea",<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/321432337/ |title=Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida on January 1, 1987 · 100 |work=Newspapers.com |access-date=2018-03-14 |language=en |archive-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316084702/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/321432337/ |url-status=live}}</ref> a reference to the [[Jules Verne]] novel ''[[20,000 Leagues Under the Sea]]''.
+On January 11, 1987, the Skyway Bridge opened up to 10,000 runners, joggers, and walkers before the bridge was opened to motor-vehicle traffic the following week. Runners participated in four races that ran simultaneously across the bridge, with two races going southbound and two races directed northbound.  Publicity and posters for the race referred to it by the humorous title "20,000 Feet Above the Sea",<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/321432337/ |title=Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida on January 1, 1987 · 100 |work=Newspapers.com |access-date=2018-03-14 |language=en |archive-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316084702/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/321432337/ |url-status=live}}</ref> a reference to the 1870 [[Jules Verne]] novel ''[[Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas]]''.
 On March 4, 2018, in partnership with the Armed Forces Families Foundation, the Skyway Bridge was closed for the Inaugural Skyway 10K.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.skyway10k.com/ |title=Skyway 10K |website=SKYWAY 10K |language=en-US |access-date=2018-03-14 |archive-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316151722/https://www.skyway10k.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In contrast to the one-time race in 1987, the Skyway 10K has been held annually since 2018, with the exception of 2021, as it was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Florida|COVID-19 pandemic]] and was to be held virtually instead.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 9, 2021 |title=Popular Skyway 10K To Go Virtual Due to COVID-19 |work=Bay News 9 |url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/02/09/popular-skyway-10k-to-go-virtual-due-to-covid-19 |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930140840/https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/02/09/popular-skyway-10k-to-go-virtual-due-to-covid-19 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 == Gallery ==
 === Old bridge demolition ===
 <gallery class="center" widths="187px" heights="175px">
@@ Line 180: / Line 178: @@
 === Current bridge ===
-<gallery class="center" widths="225px" heights="225px">
+<gallery class="center" widths="225px" heights="220px">
 File:Sunshine Skyway Bridge.jpg|The bridge at twilight
 File:SunshineSkyway_FortDeSoto.jpg|View of bridge from Fort De Soto Park
@@ Line 191: / Line 189: @@
 == See also ==
+{{Portal|Transport|Engineering|Florida}}
 * [[Dames Point Bridge]]
-* [[Millau Viaduct]], bridge with similar design in France
 * [[Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse]], bridge collapse in 2024 under similar circumstances to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse
-* [[Tasman_Bridge_disaster|Tasman Bridge disaster]], bridge collapse in 1975 under similar circumstances to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse
 * [[List of bridge failures]]
 * [[List of bridges in Florida]]
+* [[Millau Viaduct]], bridge with similar design in France
+* [[Tasman Bridge disaster]], bridge collapse in 1975 under similar circumstances to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse
 == References ==
@@ Line 203: / Line 202: @@
 == External links ==
 {{Commons category}}
-*{{Structurae|id=20003386 |title=Original Sunshine Skyway Bridge}}
+* {{Structurae|id=20003386 |title=Original Sunshine Skyway Bridge}}
-*{{Structurae|id=20000263 |title=Sunshine Skyway Bridge}}
+* {{Structurae|id=20000263 |title=Sunshine Skyway Bridge}}
-*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNgxOwv88vk Sunshine Skyway Bridge 1986]
+* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNgxOwv88vk Sunshine Skyway Bridge 1986]
 {{Crossings navbox
@@ Line 217: / Line 216: @@
 | downstream signs =
 }}
 {{Bridges of Florida}}
 {{Fla Tpk}}
+{{United States bridge disasters}}
-{{Portal bar|Transport|Engineering|Florida}}
-<!--Spacing these categories out to show groupings.-->
 {{Authority control}}
+[[Category:1954 establishments in Florida]]
+[[Category:1980 disasters in the United States]]
+[[Category:1987 establishments in Florida]]
+[[Category:Bridge disasters caused by collision]]
 [[Category:Bridge disasters in the United States]]
-[[Category:Bridge disasters caused by collision]]
-[[Category:Transportation disasters in Florida]]
-[[Category:Cable-stayed bridges in the United States]]
-[[Category:Steel bridges in the United States]]
 [[Category:Bridges completed in 1954]]
 [[Category:Bridges completed in 1971]]
 [[Category:Bridges completed in 1987]]
-[[Category:1987 establishments in Florida]]
-[[Category:1954 establishments in Florida]]
-[[Category:Landmarks in Florida]]
 [[Category:Bridges in Pinellas County, Florida]]
-[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Hillsborough County, Florida]]
+[[Category:Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System]]
-[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Manatee County, Florida]]
+[[Category:Bridges on the Interstate Highway System]]
-[[Category:Buildings and structures in St. Petersburg, Florida]]
-[[Category:Tolled sections of Interstate Highways]]
-[[Category:Toll bridges in Florida]]
 [[Category:Bridges over Tampa Bay]]
-[[Category:Road bridges in Florida]]
+[[Category:Building and structure collapses in 1980]]
+[[Category:Buildings and structures in St. Petersburg, Florida]]
+[[Category:Cable-stayed bridges in the United States]]
 [[Category:Interstate 75]]
+[[Category:Landmarks in Florida]]
+[[Category:Road bridges in Florida]]
+[[Category:Steel bridges in the United States]]
+[[Category:Toll bridges in Florida]]
+[[Category:Tolled sections of Interstate Highways]]
+[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Hillsborough County, Florida]]
+[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Manatee County, Florida]]
+[[Category:Transportation disasters in Florida]]
 [[Category:U.S. Route 19]]
-[[Category:Bridges on the Interstate Highway System]]
-[[Category:Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System]]
-[[Category:Building and structure collapses in 1980]]
-[[Category:1980 disasters in the United States]]

v t e Bridges and tunnels in Florida
Panhandle	Escambia Bay Garcon Point John Gorrie Mid-Bay Pensacola Bay St. George Island Trammell Victory
North	Acosta Bridge of Lions Main Street Buckman Dames Point Fuller Warren Hart Mathews Memorial Strauss Trunnion Little Lake Harris Herman C. McCray Jr. L.E. Buie
West Central	Bayside Clearwater Memorial Courtney Campbell Gandy Howard Frankland Pinellas Bayway Sunshine Skyway Treasure Island
East Central	A. Max Brewer Alma Lee Loy Astor Bennett Bert Dosh Broadway Eau Gallie Granada Lake Jesup Lake Underhill Melbourne Merrill P. Barber Merritt Island NASA Osteen Pete Damon Pineda Port Orange Roosevelt Sebastian Inlet Torry Island Wabasso Whitehair
South	Blue Heron Broad Coral Springs^† Flagler Memorial Julia Tuttle John F. Kennedy Lehman MacArthur Rickenbacker Royal Park Snow-Reed^‡ Thomas B. Manuel Venetian
Southwest	Blackburn Point Bridge^‡ Boca Grande^‡ Bonita Beach Caloosahatchee Cape Coral Cortez Desoto Edison Fort Hamer Green John Ringling Longboat Pass Matanzas Pass Midpoint Sanibel S.S. Jolley Stan Gober Tom Adams
Keys	Bahia Honda Card Sound Jewfish Creek Long Key Overseas Highway Seven Mile
Tunnels	Henry E. Kinney Port of Miami
Ferries	Drayton Island Fort Gates Mayport
Lists	List of bridges in Florida List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida List of movable bridges in Florida
^† – Covered bridge ^‡ – Swing bridge

v t e Florida's Turnpike Enterprise
Turnpike system	Florida's Turnpike (SR 91) Homestead Extension (SR 821) Sawgrass (SR 869) Beachline West (SR 528) Seminole / Southern Connector (SR 417) Western (SR 429) Suncoast / Veterans (SR 589) Veterans (SR 568) Polk (SR 570) First Coast (SR 23)
FDOT-owned	Alligator Alley (I-75) Beachline East (SR 528) Pinellas Bayway (SR 679 • SR 682) Sunshine Skyway Bridge I-275 US 19
FDOT-operated	Selmon (SR 618) Garcon Point Bridge (SR 281) Gateway Expressway Mid-Bay Bridge (SR 293) I-4/Selmon Connector

v t e Bridge disasters in the United States
19th century	Rail bridge in Norwalk, Connecticut (1853) Clark Street Bridge (1853) Gasconade Bridge (1855) Rail bridge near St. Joseph, Missouri (1861) Rail bridge near Meridian, Mississippi (1863) Rail bridge near Angola, New York (1867) Dixon Bridge (1873) Ashtabula Bridge (1876) Des Moines River (1881) Bussey Bridge (1887) Rail bridge near Chatsworth, Illinois (1887) Rail bridge in Orange County, Virginia (1888) Rail bridge near Chester, Massachusetts (1893) Madison Street Bridge (1893) Enfield–Suffield Covered Bridge (1900)
20th century	Rail bridge in Danville, Virginia (1903) Wabash Bridge (1903) Rail bridge near Eden Station, Colorado (1904) Rail bridge in Atlantic City, New Jersey (1906) Rail bridge near Huntington, West Virginia (1913) Saint Croix–Vanceboro Railway Bridge (1915) Division Street Bridge (1915) Summer Street Bridge (1916) Greenfield Bridge (1921) Allen Street Bridge (1923) Rail bridge near Meadow Acres, Wyoming (1923) Honeymoon Bridge (1938) Bridge AA-438 (1938) Tacoma Narrows Bridge (1940) Chesapeake City Bridge (1942) Rail bridge in Woodbridge, New Jersey (1951) CRRNJ Newark Bay Bridge (1958) Rail bridge in Meldrim, Georgia (1959) Silver Bridge (1967) Newhall Pass interchange (1971) Sidney Lanier Bridge (1972) Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge (1977) West Spokane Street Bridge (1978) Hood Canal Bridge (1979) Bedell Covered Bridge (1979) Sunshine Skyway Bridge (1980) Hyatt Regency walkway in Kansas City, Missouri (1981) Mianus River Bridge (1983) Schoharie Creek Bridge (1987) Miamitown Bridge (1989) Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge (1990) Claiborne Avenue Bridge (1993) Big Bayou Canot Bridge (1993) Newhall Pass interchange (1994) Queen Isabella Causeway (1996) Lowe's Motor Speedway pedestrian bridge (2000) Hoan Bridge (2000)
21st century	Queen Isabella Causeway (2001) I-40 bridge near Webbers Falls, Oklahoma (2002) Four Bears Bridge (2004) I-35W bridge in Minneapolis (2007) Bartonsville Covered Bridge (2011) Eggner's Ferry Bridge (2012) I-5 bridge in Mount Vernon, Washington (2013) I-85 bridge in Atlanta (2017) FIU Sweetwater UniversityCity pedestrian bridge (2018) Fern Hollow Bridge (2022) Carbella Bridge (2022) I-95 overpass in Philadelphia (2023) Francis Scott Key Bridge (2024)

Authority control databases
International	VIAF WorldCat
Geographic	Structurae