Sunshine Skyway Bridge, USA

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 original Sunshine Skyway 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 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.

On top of this, 207 people have committed suicide by jumping off the center span into the Tampa Bay waters since 1987 when the new bridge was reconstructed. Before that, another 51 people have jumped to their deaths before the older bridge collapsed. There are now 6 suicide hotlines placed along the Sunshine Skyway Bridge as a safety precaution and a constant reminder of its past.

During periods of severe thunderstorms, high winds, and hurricanes, Sunshine Skyway Bridge is often shut down due to high wind advisories. Avoid on a very windy or foggy day or storm as it generally is closed at that time. The grade is steep and you feel like you are on an endless ramp and will drop from a dizzying height after you reach the apex. The parallel lines of slanted bright yellow cables going by add to disorienting vertigo.