KidzSearch Wiki

Sunshine Skyway Bridge

The (Senator) Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, also known as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge or the Skyway, is a highway bridge in Tampa Bay, Florida, that crosses 29,040 feet (5.5 miles or about 8.85 km).[6] Every day, about 50,500 vehicles (cars and trucks) cross over the bridge.[7][8][9] The bridge is considered Florida's "flag bridge" (Florida's most important bridge).[10] On May 9, 1980, a freighter ship, called the MV Summit Venture, ran into one of the bridge's supporting columns. 1200 feet (366 meters) of the bridge fell into the water, and 35 people were killed.[11][12] The bridge was reconstructed to its current version in 1987.[13]

Other name(s)The Skyway
Characteristics
DesignCable-stayed
No. of lanes4
History
Engineering design byFigg & Muller Engineering Group
Construction startJune 1982[1][2]
Statistics
Daily traffic59,178 (2018)[3]
Location
Script error: The function "auto" does not exist.
Script error: The function "autocaption" does not exist.
Characteristics
DesignCantilever bridge
Trough constructionSteel
Pier constructionReinforced concrete
History
Construction start1950 (original bridge, later converted to northbound only traffic)
1967 (southbound span)
Construction end1954 (northbound span)
1971 (southbound span)
CollapsedMay 9, 1980; 44 years ago (1980-05-09)
Location
Script error: The function "auto" does not exist.
Script error: The function "autocaption" does not exist.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Sunshine Skyway Bridge Media

  • A postcard depicting the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge

  • View of the current bridge (top) and the old bridges: The piers of the current bridge are protected by structural dolphins. The collapsed bridge is under demolition.

  • Demolition of steel and concrete girders: The truncated pier visible was the one struck by Summit Venture.

  • Main bridge span (secured on barge) being towed away

  • Demolition of the old Sunshine Skyway Bridge in 1993.

  • BlastingConcrete

  • Sunshine Skyway. Tampa Bay, Florida. Photo &copy 2004 Thomas Parker

  • View of bridge from Fort De Soto Park

  • Driving on the bridge, near the peak

Notes

  1. ↑ "History Of the Sunshine Skyway". 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2019-11-09.
  2. ↑ "Sunshine Skyway Bridge - AA Roads". Archived from the original on 2019-11-09.
  3. ↑ "Florida Bridge Information – 2019 1st Quarter" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. January 2, 2019. p. 216. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  4. ↑ Bergen, Katy (August 16, 2014). "If Skyway Run Gets Approval, Appeal Could Be Widespread". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20140816/ARTICLE/140819777. Retrieved May 4, 2015. 
  5. ↑ Dickinson, S.L. (March 25, 2011). "Port Community Information Bulletin # 04-11: Sunshine Skyway Vertical Clearance" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 18, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Sunshine Skyway Bridge". Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  7. ↑ Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization. 2006 Average Annual Daily Traffic Counts in Pinellas County (A.A.D.T.) [map]. Retrieved on 2010-10-04.
  8. ↑ Florida Department of Transportation. PTMS and TTMS Sites, 2006, Pinellas County (15) [map]. Retrieved on 2010-10-04.
  9. ↑ "2006 Annual Average Daily Traffic Report" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. pp. Site 0088. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  10. ↑ Garcia, Jose. "The Skyway Bridge - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportaiton. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  11. ↑ "A blinding squall, then death". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 2007-02-24. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  12. ↑ Jean Heller (2000-05-07). The Day Skyway Fell: May 9, 1980. St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/News/050700/TampaBay/Horrific_accident_cre.shtml. Retrieved 2010-10-04. 
  13. ↑ "Sunshine Skyway Bridge". Structurae. Retrieved 10 April 2010.


Retrieved from "https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/w/index.php?title=Sunshine_Skyway_Bridge&oldid=5736166"