Driving Over The 430 FEET TALL Skyway Bridge!
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- Опубликовано: 13 июн 2017
- The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, known to locals as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge or more casually the Skyway, is a bridge spanning Tampa Bay, Florida, with a cable-stayed main span, and a total length of 21,877 feet (4.1434 mi; 6.668 km). It is part of Interstate 275 (I-275) and U.S. Route 19 (US 19), connecting St. Petersburg in Pinellas County and Terra Ceia in Manatee County, Florida, passing through the waters of Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and Manatee County, Florida. Construction of the current bridge began in 1982, and the completed bridge was dedicated on February 7, 1987. The new bridge cost $244 million to build, and was opened to traffic on April 20, 1987. It replaced an older bridge constructed in 1954, which was partly destroyed in a collision in 1980.
It is constructed of steel and concrete. Steel cables clad in 84 9-inch (230 mm) steel tubes (42 per pylon) along the center line of the bridge support the main span. It was designed by the Figg & Muller Engineering Group (who also designed the popular Seven Mile Bridge), and built by the American Bridge Company.
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. According to sources, he 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.
The Travel Channel rated the Sunshine Skyway number 3 in its special on the "Top 10 Bridges" in the World. The bridge is considered the "flag bridge" of Florida.
Because of its 430 Foot "Architectural" height, (base of road clearance 193 FT) above the emerald-green Gulf waters, length of continuous travel, location in a warm-weather state, and modern architectural design, it is a popular spot for filming automobile commercials.
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. 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 over the years but began to show through over recent years. In 2008, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began an overhaul including repainting the cables in their entirety (instead of touching up) and rehabilitating the lighting system at the summit of the bridge.
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 feet (55 m).
More Info Here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshin...
Robert Myrick Photography
Shot With GoPro Hero 5 Black Edition
Driving Mercedes Benz Metris
#DrivingFlorida #REMROB 
Авто/Мото
TODAY, I drove on the Skyway Bridge for the very first time. It's extremely intimidating as you approach it and start climbing. Honestly it was not bad at all. Before you know it, you're heading down and all is good.
The bridge doesn’t scare me as much as seeing the open expanse of water all around me
Yes. I can’t swim so this is absolutely frightening.
Spirit Lake Highway bridges are pretty high up
@@MrGST360 no worries you won’t survive the fall to remember that you can’t swim today is the day the bridge fell in 1980
@@Playpressed 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Just imagine what Noahs Ark water looked like😨😱
I don’t think I could drive across this bridge, 😂😂😂..... Bridges and I don’t get along lol!!
I hate this bridge, had a panic attack going over once, had to keep stopping , froze . Soooo freakin scary‼️
My heart started beating out of my chest, and my blood pressure went up just from watching this video. I will make sure to avoid it for the rest of my life.
That is what happend to me today so at the bottom of the bridge I got out amd walked to the north shore fishing rest stop my anxiety level was that bad
It's truly beautiful if you can experience with some medication
Me too. It’s scary
Are there ride services that can provide transportation just to get over it? I know it may sound silly but it’s not for many of us with high anxiety or disability issues. I know there are services similar to that over the bay bridge in Maryland. Just curious. We just moved to Florida this year.
Thank you this. By watching it over and over, it's helping me to get over my fear of driving over this bridge.
Nope I’ll pass never driven on it and never will. I got bad anxiety just watching this
No.....no....no....no😰😓😨😰
It isn’t that bad
@@tylerz5499 you’re not afraid of heights 😂😂 I am
Thank you for posting this! It feels less terrifying than just looking at the bridge♥️
Me and my family had to drive over this bridge on our trip in Florida. My mom was scared shitless lmao
I thought you were driving so bloody fast , then I remembered I had the playback settings on 1.25 .
The sun is beautiful
I've driven over this bridge and the scary part is coming down, because the angle is so extreme; what if your brakes failed? You can coast at 80 miles an hour, from the top of the bridge.
the towers are 430 feet tall not the roadway . Clearance under the bridge is 180' so the roadway is probably about 200'
193 ft
@@tinypoolmodelshipyard it depends on the tide, but ya that’s a good average
Drove across multiple times about 15 years ago, this was the first time to get to look out and see the view! Thanks, great video!
Don't understand the anxiety of going over the Skyway. It is a magnificant piece of engineering and a work of art, not to mention a piece of cake to drive over oh and the views are spectacular.
Agreed! My favorite bridge.
Love this bridge.. was fortunate enough to run it for military families
Now that is what I call a morning commute!
I tried to drive over this today and right before I got to the start of it I had this huge fear hit me bad panic attack was bad
Did you drive it still
@@Lambiscon4906 no my friend did I walked away
I know the feeling
That would be me for sure!
This one replaces one damaged years ago by a boat. BOY it is scary--we thought we were going off the edge at top of hill!
I can tell y’all from experience. This bridge isn’t as bad as it looks when you see the bridge. It helps that I love bridges but it’s not bad at all
Just passed this bridge on my first trip to clearwater and nearly had a heart attack. Had to switch seats with my wife and have her drive as she isnt afraid of heights at all lol. The vertical incline on this bridge makes it seem like you are going on a scary ass roller coaster. Imagine going over that thing in some fog….No thanks
I did exactly the same thank the gods my hubs isn't afraid!
That’s my Aunt Mary
Thank you for posting. This looks like an awesome ride! Would love to do it sometime. One more place to visit in Florida - where I have not yet been. I love the wide open expanse of water!
My cousin actually knew the tugboat captain who took down the original bridge, then my my ex hubby was the general foreman of the iron workers of this one. I watched this beautiful bridge as it went from blueprints to being completely built, then drove over it all the time as I went here and there from Bradenton, to St. Pete/Clearwater, and then over to Tampa. I so miss Florida. *sigh*
you love the left lane .
Everyone fights to stay in the left lane on this bridge.
@@1stGeorgiaGirl Why is the right lane bad on this bridge?
The old bridge was scary before this one was built
Bridges in Florida don't scare me. Florida is happy time.
Yikes and all that water. Ever since I had a Tire blown out on me while I was driving on a Highway Bridge. Causing an accident of the another Automobile rear ending my Automobile Years ago🤦🏾♀️ Afterwards, I've never liked driving on taller Bridges.
I use to live in Sarsota Florida many years ago when I was just a kid. I remember the original skyway bridge and the time it got hit by the tower on a boat and the school bus full of kids along with many others went plunging down. I'll never forget how sad that was....
It wasn’t a school bus full of kids it was a greyhound bus
When happened was in Sarasota pancake House with father ,ready to go over it later with cousin too,but accident prevented us early in morning.
Anxiety alert 🚨 anxiety alert 🚨 I would pass out
I love living in florida!
To much covid. Your governor is a death machine
@@eddieo9424 its not that bad
Oh, how I really want to travel on this bridge!
Felt like I needed sunglasses on to watch this video . Sun was so bright. I live in Louisiana and I won’t drive over any bridge or waterway.
Been driving over this bad boy for over 20 years. I love to get to the far right lane and see the scenery while doing 70 mph.
That was a nice drive. I could drive that easily, it's a straight run. The climb is what is what I missed.
My mom would have had a coronary looking at that lording over the road ahead! Too bad I didn't know anything about it when I was in Tampa a few years ago. I would have definitely made a planned detour of sorts just to cross this impressive-looking bridge. I'll just have to find a reason to return to that area...
Lol this is my daily commute to school 😂 love the skyway
It's not that bad it's fun and beautiful I love living in Florida I wouldn't change it for anything
ok boomer
They are now installing a fence along both north and south bound sides. I don't understand why it's taking them till now to do it after how many people have jumped?
The fencing will make my anxiety a little better. Do they have the fence all up yet? We are going in October so I hope it is done by then
Even the flat road over the water gets me !!!!!!
on this bridge people must feel like vin diesel in triple-x. the sai van bridge with indoor lanes was remarkable.
America the beautiful!
Only two lanes in each direcgion. THAT is a scary bridge. I couldn't read the signs so I hope he knows where he is going.
wow amazing a little scary but what an engineering marvel
Reminds me of Houston Texas with only difference it didn't have Bridges doing this it had drawbridge when I was down there in the 80's. I was a kid some of those creeped me out cause depending on with bridge you was on and which way it turned it would look like the bridge you was on was lifted ahead. If your bridge was up traffic went no where for awhile, here comes the mosquitoes.
I have a panic attack going over the causeway to Sanibel. Lol. I could never do this.
Just had a panic attack watching the drive
This looks scary enough on a nice sunny day. Imagine driving this thing today, with hurricane Ian blowing at 150 MPH...... whoa!
Im actually on the road right now and about to cross the bridge lol. Story time: 100 years ago there was the bridge that was smaller than this one. And when the ship was moving across from under the bridge it crashed because the bridge was not big enough, everybody that was driving in the bridge died and fell into the water. Now they made this bridge and earlier today i saw a ship. I got a little scared and nothing happened. That’s why im scared of high bridges. And YES this story is TRUE. 😅 and this bridge is the 10th most highest bridge.
Wasn't quite 100 years ago. The old bridge disaster occurred in 1980 but close enough. The original bridge was opened to traffic in 1954. That was one scary bridge.
Not my favorite bridge to drive over ! It's a little sketchy
What's sketchy about it? Asking curiously for someone with actual experience, not trying to sound rude.
Compared to the Chesapeake bay bridge and a few others the Skyway feels solid as a rock unless it's windy. I miss this drive. I remember being scared the first time or two because of the perceived height, but then I just loved to drive it. Did it many a time.
I paddled across the bay once in a canoe following the bridge
I will drive so fast cause I feel like it might collapse again
Went across in an old Jeep Wrangler convertible on a windy day. The vehicle was getting pushed all around by the winds.
Yikes!! 🥺😳😬
To me it looks narrow and not much guard on right about 3 feet high.If I ever drove it ,I would be trucking in Left lane.
Narrow and not much guard. I hugged the left lane. Super scary.
The ride to the top is like forever ..
You know, I had a blast going over this bridge at like 75mph on my motorcycle. If you want extra fun, do it at night.
oh hell no I don’t do water at night,that shit is sooo fucking ominous
Glad you're still with us. LOL
Friends rolled bowling ball down old skyway and followed in car. Ball got up to 45 mph.
The whole bridge is beautiful at night, especially going up from Sarasota where you can see the lights out across the bay!
Hell no bro
Very informative video. Do you have a great speaking voice and really know what you’re talking about.
Had me riveted.
Although the center of the bridge is 430 above the water, the incline and decline are gradual so you don't realize how high you've climbed. The old bridge was pretty scary. The scariest bridge is still the Rainbow Bridge in Port Arthur, Texas. It's only 230 feet above the water but, the incline and decline is straight up and straight down.
The one in Savannah is is up there too
Is that bridge on I 10?
Its so steep,
Seems like the name should be never ending bridge. I'd drive on it though! The bridge I have a problem with is the Harry Nice Bridge in Dahlgren VA. Too high!
Ann, for context ....Harry Nice is 107 ft high. This one is 433 ft high!
Whew!! That Harry Nice Bridge👀my entire body was shaking by the time I made it down the slope!!
Omg!! 433😱😱
Florida sidewalls of there bridge s are low fly right in to the water
Dam u was doing bout 100 seem like lol. I hate bridges I hate heights I would never ever cross this. I would have to be sleep blacked out to cross this omg!
I aM A cALIF., a non local to Fla., who will gladly just call it the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
No local here, but I know as the Sunshine Skyway aND I THInk everyone else does.Never even HEARD of the first name mentioned.
This bridge sucks when its windy! You feel the entire thing shaking. Always in the inside lane!
Just like the Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville FL
As much as i hate this bridge, I dont envy the people who have to change the lights at the tops of the cables. My ex did, his pics from up there were terrifying and incredible!
It seems like a fuking rollercoaster or something. I am about to pass out just by watching this video.
Awah fuk that shit never gettin on this thing even if I really do move to florida😶
I used to live about 2 miles from the Skyway in South St. Petersburg. Never bothered me to cross either the old bridge, or the new one.
Damn how fast are you driving
fo real
I crossed it on a motorcycle in the rain . Easy peasy
Actually quite therapeutic as there’s no inane commentary or music
Why is it so noisy??? U driving with the windows down or is the camera outside??
Yes, camera mounted on outside of windshield
No no nooooo 😱😱
Twice as high as Blackpool Tower!!!!🤦♂️🤦♂️😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱
So is there another way to get to the other side?
Yes there is, it is a very long way around though, you have to go through Clearwater and Saint Petersburg then go through Tampa, stay on I-75 and then you will end up in bradington, to all in reverse if you are starting in bradington
I been on this thing 3 times and I definitely didn't like it, I was so glad when we got off of it. I don't like no type of bridge, people just drive to fast when on them.
Very nicely done, Image crisp and clear (lovely day) stable view . Only slight drawbacks- wind and engine noise are not really enjoyable.
This bridge is not scary at all....
I been on this bridge before
unless I totally missed them, is this one of those bridges where once you get on it, yu have to travel the Whole way across it even if you decided that you didnt want to go the whole way???
YES
Suicide jumpers don't go the whole way. Bada Boom!
Yeah, I would agree there's no turning back once you start over any bridge.
What is the reason/ purpose for the yellow cables?
It is a Suspension Bridge. Those cables support the weight of the center section since there are no supporting columns under the center section so ships can pass under. Google Suspension Bridge
Actually, it's called a cable stayed bridge, but basically each cable holds a portion of the weight of the deck. They're painted yellow to reflect in the name Sunshine Skyway, especially when in the evening it blends with the sunset.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE FUSS IS ALL ABOUT!! I DRIVE THIS ROUTE WHEN I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE BAY PINES V-A MEDICAL CENTER 4 TIMES A MONTH
KEN LICHTIG is that a psychiatrist?
@@solomonbc9337 😂😂😂😂😂
I drove over it for the first time last week. I was petrified (raging fear of heights) until I actual did it. It was a non-event.
The old bridge was scarier because of the grating.
He drives to fast for me and I’m already afraid of this Bridge 🤦🏻♀️
thats the normal speed to drive on a 430 feet tall bridge
Which lake is this
It's part of Tampa Bay
I don't think this bridge is 400 feet above the water. The clearance below it is about 200 feet. The 400 foot measurement is probably including the top of the towers
Read Information in description
@@RM-dz8kr oh I see
CARS GET BLOWN OFF ONE THIME WHEN IT WAS TWO LANE AT THE TOP I SAW LIGHTINING STRIKE THE TOP NEVER NEVER AGIAN
I would ride my tricycle over it once I got over the hill.
I was somewhat OK until 4:20. Nope.
Is that the gulf or the atlantic
Gulf Of Mexico
The mouth of Tampa Bay where it leads into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf on the left and Tampa Bay on the right.
Still dont see why they had to build it so tall...!!!
My guess: huge ships has to be able to pass under it.
@@AgentRafa Good point.
Tampa is an international port city so the biggest ships need to be able to pass under that bridge.
I'd love to cross that bridge I live on straits of mackinaw where there is a bridge called the mackinaw bridge 5 miles long at the center of the Span its 200' above the water towers of the bridge or 500' in height so this bridge would be nothing a been a crossed the mackinaw bridge in snowstorms 45 mile an hour winds It can get hairy this bridge looks like It would be A-blast to cross.
Watch the Driving Big Mac Bridge video on this channel!!
The expansion joint lane on the Mighty MAC scares me! You can see the water below thru the joints and it’s hard to steer your car!
hell no!
Clickbait headline as the deck is roughly 185 feet above the water
Boy I hate that bridge who ever made it that were high on drugs and drunk
It needs to be higher to allow taller ships to go under it
Heeellll no 😱😱
if it scary too you i can drive you car for you in come in pick you up
Absolutely not Should've been a tunnel instead.
A shit naw, you driving way too fast
This bridge killed 35 people after the bridge collapsed sending a greyhound bus tumbling down to the water below
That was the old skyway bridge, this isn’t the same one
@Galaxar Leader Of Nebrutolian it will always happen again. Nature finds a way. It always finds a way.
This is the new bridge that replaced the old bridge that went down in 1980 when a freighter accidentally rammed the bridge support in bad weather. At night the lighted bridge is beautiful and can be seen for several miles.
Moro