[4K] Driving over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Florida

Driving Southbound and Northbound across the scenic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge often referred to as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge or simply the Skyway, is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Lower Tampa Bay connecting St. Petersburg, Florida to Terra Ceia. The current Sunshine Skyway opened in 1987 and is the second bridge of that name on the site.
It was designed by the Figg & Muller Engineering Group and built by the American Bridge Company and is considered a symbol of Florida. The four-lane bridge carries Interstate 275 and U.S. Route 19, passing through Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, and Manatee County. It is a toll road, with a $1.50 toll assessed on two-axle vehicles traveling in either direction and collected via cash or the state's SunPass system. The original bridge opened in 1954 and was the site of two major maritime disasters within a few months in 1980. In January 1980, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collided with the tanker Capricorn near the bridge, resulting in the sinking of the cutter and the loss of 23 crew members. In May 1980, the freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a bridge support during a sudden squall, resulting in the structural collapse of the southbound span and the deaths of 35 people when vehicles plunged into Tampa Bay. Within a few years, the damaged span was demolished, the surviving span was partially demolished and converted into a long fishing pier, and the current bridge was built. Suicides, according to compilations from various media reports, at least 207 people have committed suicide by jumping from the center span into the waters of Tampa Bay since the opening of the current bridge in 1987 and an estimated 34 others have tried but survived. Another 51 people ended their lives from the old Sunshine Skyway from 1954 to 1987. Several other missing persons are suspected of having jumped from the bridge but their deaths could not be confirmed as no bodies were recovered.

[@SundropQueen60]

This looks a lot safer than the one my family and I crossed on May 8, 1980. That one was utterly terrifying. Especially since it went down the day after we went over it.I will never forget that. I had just turned 20 years old the week before. RIP all the lives lost on May 9, 1980.

[@mikeatkinson369]

I went over it just minutes before with a van loaded with workers. By the time we got to the end near St Pete, emergency vehicles were coming. I fish there often and still shudder at the thoughts.

[@patrajones9763]

I crossed this bridge this weekend.. been avoiding it for years. It wasn’t so bad.. but I don’t want to cross it again unless I really have to..

[@FunintheSunFloridian]

Congrats lol. I don’t like crossing this bridge either but did It just to do the video

[@christianvazquez3219]

Lol why don't you guys like crossing it????

[@johngolden891]

It's long and high, but it has two wide lanes, plus a breakdown lane. So if someone were having a panic attack, they could pull over and cool down for a couple of minutes. Ever since my VW got shifted a lane on a windy day on the old Tappan Zee Bridge, have had bridge driving anxiety. By the way, the author John Cheever includes his own experience with this phobia in the short story "Angel of the Bridge." Thanks, Patra, your comment has given me courage to drive across the Sunshine Skyway on an upcoming trip to Tampa/St Pete

[@supernova4760]

I’ve crossed it maybe a thousand times.

[@4WingedAngels]

Even worse than this, is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.😳

[@jeshualoves4787]

This is perfect. Nice view.

[@SWAMPCRACKER17]

Not a fan of heights especially tall bridges over water. I gun it anytime I have to go across it to get it over with faster lol

[@fredjones554]

Am i missing something? This looks just fine to me.

[@mikeatkinson369]

Not the first thing scary about it. Now the old one...scare the shit out of you. Especially on a motorcycle.

[@tootsiegirl]

I didn't see anything scary about that bridge.
Jan, 3 2022

[@jollyroger822]

Drive a little slower I think it could impede traffic a little bit more

[@halleffect1]

I don't like crossing this bridge. did it once on motorcycle and that was even worse.

[@christianvazquez3219]

Lol why is that???

[@halleffect1]

@@christianvazquez3219 tall bike, sitting high on the seat with a bad crosswind and what seemed like a low guard rail

[@mikeatkinson369]

If you think the new one is bad on a bike, the old one was steel grates and you wobbled across it and could see the water below your feet. You had to stop at the rest are at the end to clean your pants.

[@halleffect1]

@@mikeatkinson369 wow, that's like a bad dream.

[@JasonGta6-wu2dw]

BOCAMAR BRIDGE

[@theresawareness8358]

I hated it ....