Sunshine Skyway Bridge

The Sunshine Skyway I believe I read is noted as one of the three spectacular architectural bridges in the United States. I believe this to be true and Architects Lianne is quite spectacular.
Several years ago a barge hit the bridge on a stormy day and caused the collapse which led to several cars and buses dropping into the Gulf. To my dismay the last bus that did not go into the water one of my family was on. Sunset day I had a fear of driving over the bridge, personally alone.
I love, absolutely love the view from this bridge and it is totally totally spectacular. Everyone that comes to visit Tampa St Pete needs to go across the Sunshine Skyway and for the minimal total of dollar twenty year a dollar 25 and it’s totally worth the beauty that you will see either side of you.
I know people that commute over it and they don’t seem to have the problems that there are with the Tampa bridges such as the Howard Franklin, D&D, and Courtney causeway. Appears that the traffic moves much quicker and there are fewer accidents. Since the bridge is so high architectural E it is closed when the winds reach 49 knots an hour and not reopened until it is safe again. This is to ensure that an accident such as my family member was involved in will never happen again.
I’ve been all around the USA and seen many, many bridges including the Golden Gate and I gotta say the Golden Gate does not even hold a candle to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge offers views that are absolutely spectacular. You cross it at sunrise or sunset you’ve got the optimal view from anywhere in hillsborough, Pinellas or the Sarasota area.
Even though I am wary about driving over the bridge because of the personal drama with it, it does not negate the beauty and functionality of the bridge. It integrates southern st. Petersburg with Sarasota and St Armands key. The drive is also quite spectacular and, if you have guests visiting you definitely want to give than this vantage point to see things in their own way from the top of this bridge.
The unfortunate thing about the bridge is many people use it to commit suicide. This is been going on since it was built and it continues to this day. Unfortunately I had the please call me one night and see a friend of mine was up there attempting suicide and what I come down and help talk him down off the bridge. This is not a pleasant experience but of course I went down there and I did what I could and thank heavens I was successful.
Some people only know the bridge for that reason and that’s awfully sad. The bridge is architectual a beautiful and sound and will remain so for many, many years. It is a work of art that everyone needs to experience when they visit this area of Florida.
What’s a girl to do? Hey, you gotta pick your bridges just like you pick your battles.

To hell with the cruise ship industry! (I’ll get to that in a moment)
I have never written a review for a bridge however, this one is my favourite cable-​stayed bridge. I first rode over this bridge ’93 and I have been fascinated by this structure ever since!
I like being the out of state visitor with a Sunpass. Most recently the Sunpass toll was $ 1.06. (2015 December). I captured video of driving in the Sunpass lane and while on the bridge.
I have used the location the fishing piers to capture awesome images of the bridge at night.
A digression about Sunpass. Interoperability is expected with other toll systems across the country by 2016 October, for compliance with MAP-​21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act)
Sunpass has been compatible with toll systems in GA and NC for months now. EZ-​Pass interoperability will be great, as it is currently used in 14 states.
Now about the cruise ships…
Cruise ships are getting larger and now the height of this bridge is starting to be problem for cruise ships to clear it. The «air draft» is the distance from the surface of the water to the highest point on the vessel. I have not seen any recent articles on this, but rebuilding the bridge or raising the deck would cause years of disruption to Interstate traffic.
This is my summary opinion: Make the cruise ship industry pay for another cruise terminal somewhere West of the bridge, if they want to bring their «megaships» to Tampa Bay.
I will be waiting to see how this issue with cruise ships and the bridge develops.
Until then, I will enjoy every crossing I make of this bridge, never forgetting the tragic event that occurred on 9 May 1980. «Dolphins» now surround the bridge piers that are capable of withstanding the impact of an 87,000 ton vessel to help prevent such an event from happening again.

This bridge is beautiful and worth 10 stars, but Unilocal rules apply even to this magnificent bridge.
My first visit to Florida, many years ago, was clouded by the tragedy that brought this bridge life. Sorry for the loss of 35 lives on the old bridge. When I crossed this bridge in my younger days the old bridge still stood next to this beauty. It was very sad. Now to come back and see it standing by itself I can see the beauty in the new bridge. This one is by far my favorite in Florida. Must see before you leave!!!

What can I say about this bridge? The. Best. Bridge. Ever! I’ll definitely be back!!!

I have a fear of bridges. Something regarding a dream I had Ages ago that still hangs heavy in my mind. Anyway, any time I go over the Sunshine Skyway bridge I have to take the inside lane because this bridge is SO high.
It’s an archetectural beauty that stands sentinental over the gulf. A beacon that says you are HERE in Tampa bay, Welcome home.

My wife and I never tire of this bridge. The structure, height, length and workmanship are really impressive to us, and the views are beautiful. Day trips or night trips are fun thanks to the sights and lights of the horizons, the cityscape, or travelling boats on either side of us.
We are fortunate to have this beautiful structure in our area to enjoy the views of the bridge or from the bridge. Pretty amazing!

The view is seriously breathtaking. My wife and I never get tired of it.
Living in the area we cross the bridge fairly frequently, especially when going to Sarasota. The Sunshine Skyway is tall and offers a splendid view of Tampa Bay, including the remains of the old Skyway bridge destroyed when it was struck several years ago and has since been turned into fishing piers.
The only concern comes when there are storms, heavy rains, or high winds in the area. At times they close the bridge or issue cautions if there is a danger of having an accident.

The first time I went over this bridge I was in a van. When I got to the apex of the bridge I started praying !!
It’s scary the first time if your in a big truck or van.
Now it is really cool. The rest stops on either side of the bridge are very «scenic.»
Worth taking just to see it and go over it.

As far as bridges go, yep it’s a nice one.
Big, beautiful, and long. I pass over this one a couple times a year and am always impressed. Not to sure how to write a review on a bridge but if I were a bridge I could only hope I was as cool as this one.
In my humble opinion this bridge is better viewed from a boat, just East of said bridge about a mile. With a beer in hand and the sun setting in the background. I’m just sayin. Wish I had a picture of that so I could share but will have to wait on that till later. Until then Cheers.

Its nice until their is a car accident and now your stuck on it for 45 minutes. Still better then going around.

A review on a bridge… Not much I can say but it’s an awesome bridge with a great view of the bay and there’s piers where you can stop and go fishing or take in the sounds of the water and wind. Plus when I see it, I know I’m close to the city of Tampa!

OMG!!! FABULOUS!!! Of course I give this bridge 5 stars! How could you not?! This bridge is amazing! The way my car just glides right over it! I’m telling you people this bridge is really fantastic! I highly suggest you make your way over this bridge it is an experience to remember!!! You will be telling your kids and your grand kids all about it for years to come !!
If you’ve never been get in your car and drive right over!!! Don’t forget your toll money or your sunpass!!! I wish I could drive over it all day every day. It’s that good!!!
I could go on and on and on and on about this bridge but I’ll leave it up for you to decide!!!
Seriously, come on people. It’s a freakin bridge. Do we really need to review a bridge?

I like this bridge, but rarely drive over it. It’s very kewl looking, I just wish it were taller to allow bigger ships into the Port of Tampa, but we can’t do anything about that now.
It’s great to go over on a Sat or Sun about 5:45pm and watch one of the ships go underneath it.

Since my mom passed in Nov 2013, my sister, living in the DC Metro Area aka Hell, has been visiting more often. I will take her around to get familiar with Tampa Bay and one weekday, I took her to see ‘da bridge.”
It’s common family & friends knowledge that she fears large bridges. Panic attacks are how she reacts to bridges. But, due to pure local beauty of the water, and my expertise, I successfully took her over this bridge with no incidents!
We made it to the south fishing docks as she is a lover of fishing! She asked local fishermen how the fishing was and what were they catching. When she moves, we will return to fish here occasionally.
I agree this bridge is a local landmark for all to visit. Learning the story of the bridge and the resulting fishing piers is interesting as well. Yes, watching the sus rise and set here is a thing of beauty!

Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a beautiful structure that spans a beautiful bay between Bradenton and St. Petes and can host some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever witness. This bridge has always attracted people from around the world as they pass through the area and has caused many people to alter their original route so they can witness it’s awesome beauty.
The bridge does have a reputation of instilling fear in many people as they climb the steep grade to the top I attribute this to the height combined with the winds, to fully appreciate the experience roll your windows down turn the radio off and enjoy. No need to worry that your car will be blown off the bridge, they close the bridge when the winds reach 49 m.p.h. So if your lucky enough to get winds gusting close to that you’ll get an opportunity to see what others express as fear. I’ve rode amusement park rides that didn’t come close to crossing this bridge when the winds are roaring add in darkness and a little fog it can be a little spooky but don’t let those minor details keep you away.
Sadly it also attracts a lot of those who choose to end their existence by taking a leap from the top. The state has incorporated surveillance cameras and call stations at the top to try minimize the phenomenon but still hundreds still choose to have this view their last. It is illegal to stop anywhere on this structure unless it’s an emergency, stopping triggers a response by the highway patrol.
Vital Statistics:
Location: St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Florida, USA
Completion Date: 1987
Cost: $ 244 million
Length: 29,040 feet
Type: Cable-​Stayed
Purpose: Roadway
Materials: Steel, concrete
Longest Single Span: 1,200 feet
Engineer (s): Figg & Muller Engineering Group
Completed in 1987, the Sunshine Skyway is the world’s longest cable-​stayed concrete bridge. It is probably the best known of the several dozen cable-​stayed bridges that have been built in the United States since the late 1970s. Its popularity may be due to its unique color — its cables are painted a bright taxicab yellow — but the bridge also boasts an interesting history.

The skyway bridge is my favorite bridge in the area. It’s not as nice as some out there, but who cares about them?
The toll stinks, sometimes traffic is a mess, and it gets closed every so often due to high winds, but I still enjoy it. I don’t find it scary, but it is very tall. One of the more interesting things for me is there are call boxes at the top that connect to a crisis center. I think these are the only phones on Florida highways now and it’s all because this is a spot that sees a fair number of suicides that don’t really get noticed.
It’s not quite a scenic route kind of bridge, but it is nice to take out of towers on it.

The official name is The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It was ranked #3 top bridges in the World by the travel channel. Pretty impressive!
The views on a clear day are magnificent! Especially during sunset and if you are lucky enough to time it when the cruise ships go under, that in itself is pretty cool.
For some reason, many people fear going across this 4 mile bridge but I actually enjoy it when it’s not a windy day. When the winds get over 49 mph, they will close the bridge.

WE CAN REVIEW BRIDGES NOW?! WHY DIDN’T I GET THIS MEMO?
I love the Skyway. It’s an iconic entrance into the Tampa Bay, absolutely amazing to see from a distance while approaching it from the North (although it kinda creeps up on you with the Southern approach). I’ve gone out of my way a few times to take the bridge to Tampa, instead of the quicker (and toll-​less) route around the eastern side of the bay.
Coming at it from the south is definitely a change of the Florida scenery. While it’s true that most of our great state is scrubby woods and flatlands, that’s not very sexy. But driving north on 275, seeing the gorgeous water, crossing the bridge, and arriving in St. Pete… that’s what we think of when someone asks you to describe Florida. Downright picturesque, it is!
Toll is $ 1.25 (both ways), but well worth it. This toll covers the bridge, two rest areas, and two fishing piers… and numerous little spots to cast your line in, as well. Tarpon, Crevalle Jack, shark, dogfish, the occasional snook — all the bay’s critters are here and hungry for your bait. If you’ve got your pole (or your net for mullet) and a few hours, it’s a great spot to stop. Careful with the rocks, though. I’ve lost a few yards of mono to them.

Es ist einfach einmalig diese Brücke hochzufahren, es ist ein steiler Anstieg, aber wenn man oben angekommen ist, egal von welcher Seite man kommt, hat man immer einen einmaligen Ausblick, aber bitte auch auf die Straße schauen !!! Man sollte natürlich möglichst bei Tageslicht diese Fahrt unternehmen. Für mich gehört normalerweise bei jedem Florida Urlaub eine Fahrt über die Sushine Skyway Bridge dazu. Man kann auch warten bis kurz vor Sonnenuntergang, dann kann man von den Fishing Piers den einmaligen Sonnenuntergang genießen. Schon von weitem kann die tolle Bauweise der Brücke bewundern. Ich freue mich schon auf die nächste Fahrt über diese schöné Brücke und natürlich auf den Super Ausblick auf die Bucht, etc.

4.1 miles of concrete and steel wonder. Two main supports on the middle of the bridge, elegant cables stringing the span. Unobstructed view of the Bay is breathtaking. Picturesque any time of the day, it is absolutely beautiful during sunsets or sunrises.
If you are driving from Tampa to St. Petersburg, you cannot miss it — enjoy those views!

My wife freaked out once we reached the peak of the bridge while driving from Tampa to Sarasota. It is surprisingly taller than it looks once you are up in the air. If I’m being honest, although I teased my wife as she frantically gripped anything she could find in the car (as if holding something would stop the bridge from falling)… I was kinda freaked out too. I had butterflies in my stomach because my mind floated through multiple scenarios of something going wrong while driving across this concrete & steel monster.
My imagination is a product of several earthquake movies growing up, so you’ll have to forgive me for almost loosing my MANcard with the thought of it collapsing with us on it. Not to mention there was also the stray thought of some giant sea creature rising from the bay waters pissed off about something. Of course fatal timing would have this happen just and I’m crossing, but who knows what damage that dang Kraken might do before I could floor it to the other side. Sad I know, but don’t act like you haven’t had these thoughts before too!
Anyway, it’s a beautiful structure with a beautiful view that might have the squeamish in need of a diaper prior to crossing.
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HISTORICAL SIDE NOTE:
The original bridge, opened in 1954, actually DID collapse after a freighter collided with a structural support column in May of 1980. The accident is known as the Summit Venture disaster and killed 35 people when 1,200 feet of the bridge collapsed into the bay. The new bridge, opened in 1987, has been known to have many suicide jumps, as many as 171 to date (unofficial). One of the most recent was a NCAA football coach as well as several attempts just this month in September of 2013.

pay the toll and enjoy the view.
auf jedenfall bei den rastplätzen am anfang und am ende der brücke rausfahren um das panorama zu genießen. ;)

Die Sunshine Skyway Bridge überspannt die Tampa Bay und verbindet die Stadt Saint Petersburg mit Terra Ceia. Sie gehört zu den längsten Brücken mit einer Schrägseil-​Mittelöffnung. Der Bau der heutigen Brücke begann 1982 und wurde nach 5-​jähriger Bauzeit am 7. Februar 1987 eingeweiht und am 20. April 1987 für den Verkehr freigegeben.
Im September 1994 wurde der Brücke die offizielle Bezeichnung Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge gegeben — nach dem Gouverneur von Florida Bob Graham — der während des Designs und während eines Großteil des Baus im Amt war.
Die heutige Brücke ersetzte eine von dem deutsch-​amerikanischen Bauingenieur Hannskarl Bandel konstruierte Stahlbrücke desselben Namens. Die ursprünglich 2-​spurige Brücke wurde 1954 fertiggestellt und ersetzte damals den Fährbetrieb von Poit Pinellas nach Piney Point.
1969 wurde eine ähnliche Struktur parallel zur bereits bestehenden Brücke gebaut, um damit mit neu 4 Spuren die Interstate-​Anforderungen zu erfüllen.
Daten der Brücke:
Gesamtlänge: 8851 Meter
Breite: 28,7 Meter
Längste Stützweite: 366,75 Meter
Höhe: 58,8 Meter
Durchfahrtshöhe: 53,3 Meter
Fahrzeuge pro Tag: ca. 50.500
Mautkosten: 1,25 $
Baukosten: ca. 667 Mio USD