Delmarva Highways :: Sunshine Skyway / St. Petersburg, FL

Yes... your humble webmaster loaded up in his semi-trusty NEW Delmarva Highways Battle Cruiser, headed south on I-95, and terrorized the Sunshine State, as...

While on a trip visiting family, I ventured down I-275 to the famous Sunshine Skyway.

Armed with my trusty digital camera, I drove onto the original Skyway, which has been converted into fishing piers since... well... that's a long story.

Postcard image. Photographer unknown.

The original Sunshine Skyway opened in 1954. The 15 mile long crossing consisted of concrete trestle sections, leading up to a cantilever truss crossing above the Tampa Bay shipping channel. The vertical clearance for the channel was approximately 150 feet above the water and approximately 750 feet in width.

Postcard Image. Photographer unknown.

In the late 60s, increased traffic levels were plaguing the original 2-lane span. It was decided that a new twin parallel span would be constructed, which opened in 1971. Once the new span opened, traffic could cross Tampa using 2 lanes in each direction.

Photos Courtesy of the St. Petersburg Times

However, on May 9, 1980, the freighter SS Summit Venture, piloted by Captain John Lerro, with almost zero visibility and amongst high winds and a violent rain squall, collided with the newer southbound span, causing a portion of the steel cantilever truss section to collapse, and fall into Tampa Bay. 35 people, most of whom were riding a Greyhound bus bound for Miami, died in one of the worst bridge u39506956-dukescdisasters in American history.

After the accident, the original northbound span was converted to 2-way traffic, and remained as such until the completion of the new Sunshine Skyway bridge in 1987.

Once the new bridge opened, the remaining cantilever sections of the original spans and approaches were removed, and the low level trestle sections were converted into fishing piers.

The current Sunshine Skyway bridge serves I-275 and US 19. Construction of the cable stayed suspension span began in 1982, and was completed in 1987. It is approximately 5.5 miles in length, and is approximately 193 feet above Tampa Bay at it's highest point. The bridge's signature yellow suspension cables are a focal point of the skyline of St. Petersburg.

	Driving the bridge's southern approach, heading toward St. Petersburg.
	Looking at the bridge's signature cable stayed suspension span, from the southern end of the bridge.
	As the sign says... entering Hillsborough County.
	Leading up to the suspension portion of the bridge.
	Approaching the crest of the bridge.
	Continuing to head south. Note the original spans on the left.
	As this signs says... entering Pinellas County.
	And... wrapping up at the northern foot of the bridge.

More Information on the current Sunshine Skyway:

Sunshine Skyway at Wikipedia.com
Current Sunshine Skyway Traffic Information at Tampa Bay 511.com

As stated earlier on the page, sections of the 1954 and 1971 spans were converted into fishing piers. In fact, both piers are known collectively as the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. For a nominal fee, you can drive the spans, fish, enjoy the scenery, and even camp on the piers.

	A view of the "new" Sunshine Skyway, taken from the north pier.
	A look at some of the people fishing, from the end of the north pier.
	A view of the "new" Sunshine Skyway, taken from the south pier.
	A shot of both "old" spans, taken from the end of the south pier.
	Driving the 1971 southbound pier. Note the modifications made to the spans, including areas for parking and cross walks featuring "Botts Dots".
	Another modification done to the spans was the addition of buildings that straddle the piers. This one houses restroom facilities.
	More views from the 1971 southbound fishing pier.
	Another building straddling the piers. This one also houses restroom facilities.
	At the southern end of the pier, a portion of the original 1954 span was removed to make way for the "new" Sunshine Skyway.