Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida
Have you ever wondered how to get to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge of Tampa city? If so, you're not alone. This span connects St. Petersburg, Florida to Terra Ceia, Florida, and stretches over Lower Tampa Bay. Originally built in 1954, it's the second bridge of the same name to be built in the Tampa area. If you're interested in visiting Tampa, be sure to visit the bridge.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, commonly known as the Bob Graham Skyway Bridge, has a long and illustrious history. Virginia Bridge Company built the original two-lane bridge in 1954, making it one of the world's longest bridges. Its center span is 22.3 feet long, with an aperture of 864 feet for ship lanes. Except for the ship channel, it also had 32 concrete piers spaced every 135 feet. After its reconstruction in 1987, it was transformed into a four-lane bridge.
While the Sunshine Skyway is an impressive engineering feat, it has a sad history. The bridge collapsed in 1980 after a freighter named the Summit Venture struck a support column. Thirty-five people were killed and hundreds injured when the bridge collapsed. A truck and Greyhound bus fell to the water in the crash, and six cars smashed into the bay. In addition to the 35 fatalities, more than two hundred suicides have occurred from the bridge's center span since its opening.
The new bridge follows the footprint of the old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Designed by Figg and Muller Engineering, the new bridge has a high-level cable-stayed span east of the twin cantilever spans. Because of the dangers involved with crossing the old bridge, the high-level cable-stayed span was designed to provide an extra safety measure for the ships. The Summit Venture missed a critical turn on 9 May 1980, contributing to the tragedy that resulted in the collapse of the old Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge has served as a source of attraction and tourism for the city of Tampa, despite its numerous worries and issues. It is a 4.14-mile bridge with a width of 94 feet and a height of 430 feet that has lately seen daily traffic of over 63000 people. The bridge has also been covered in a variety of media outlets, making it one of the most well-known in the state with a spectacular vista, particularly when viewed from Tampa Bay. Whether you're a local or just passing through, each ride across the bridge will leave you speechless. Thanks to the fantastic designers and steel's amazing work. Another interesting place in Tampa is Adventure Island, you’ll also love it there.