The original Sunshine Skyway bridge opened to traffic as a two lane road in September 1954. An identical span opened in 1971 making it two lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides. The bridge connects St Petersburg on the north side to Bradenton on the south side.
All was well with the bridge until May 9, 1980 when a 600 foot phosphate freighter, the Summit Venture struck the southbound span during a blinding thunderstorm
More than 1000 feet of the bridge fell into Tampa Bay. Seven cars and a Greyhound bus fell 165 feet into the water killing 35 people
Two days later the northbound span reopened to north and southbound traffic
On April 30, 1987 a new cable stayed Skyway Bridge opened to traffic
When the new bridge opened the old bridge became the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The park consists of two piers, north and south open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. They are the longest fishing piers in the world.
A drive over the Sunshine Skyway spanning the mouth of Tampa Bay is a visually stunning sight and one you should take
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