Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Tampa Bay's Golden Landmark

The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a 4.14-mile cable-stayed bridge carrying I-275 across the mouth of Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia on Florida's Gulf Coast. Its twin yellow cable fans and 431-foot towers have made it one of the most recognizable — and most photographed — bridges in the United States. But the Skyway's story involves more than engineering. It's a story of disaster, rebuilding, and a fishing pier that turned tragedy into something worth driving to.

The Original Skyway

The first Sunshine Skyway opened in 1954 as a steel cantilever bridge built by the Virginia Bridge & Iron Company. Before it existed, crossing Tampa Bay meant a 50-mile detour through Tampa or a ferry ride. A parallel span was added in 1971 to handle growing traffic, making it a four-lane crossing. For 26 years, the twin spans carried millions of drivers over one of the busiest shipping channels in the Gulf of Mexico.

May 9, 1980

At 7:33 AM on a rainy Friday morning, the 606-foot freighter MV Summit Venture was heading inbound through Tampa Bay when a sudden squall reduced visibility to near zero. The harbor pilot lost his bearings. The ship struck a support pier on the southbound span, sending a section of bridge deck into the water below. A Greyhound bus, several cars, and a truck drove off the broken edge before anyone could stop them. Thirty-five people died. It remains one of the worst bridge disasters in American history. One motorist survived the fall — Richard Hornbuckle, whose truck bounced off the ship's bow and landed in the water. He was pulled out by the ship's crew.

A Bridge Rebuilt

Construction on the replacement began in 1982. Designed by FIGG Engineering, the new Skyway was a radical departure: a concrete cable-stayed bridge with massive dolphin fenders — concrete barriers around each pier designed to deflect ship strikes so the 1980 disaster could never happen again. The main span stretches roughly 1,200 feet between two 431-foot towers, with 175 feet of clearance over the shipping channel. When it opened on April 20, 1987, at a cost of $244 million, it was the longest cable-stayed concrete bridge in the world. The center spans of the old bridge were demolished in 1992, with the rubble strategically placed on the bay floor as artificial reefs. The Florida Legislature renamed the bridge after former Governor Bob Graham in 2005.

The World's Longest Fishing Pier

Rather than demolish the entire original bridge, Florida converted the surviving approach spans into the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, which opened in 1994. The north pier (Pinellas County side) and south pier (Manatee County side) each extend roughly 1.5 miles into Tampa Bay, making them the longest fishing piers in the world. No fishing license is needed — the pier entrance fee covers all guests. Tarpon, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and grouper are the headline catches. Both piers have bait shops with live bait, tackle, rod rentals, and snacks.

Important update (spring 2026): The south pier has been closed to vehicle and pedestrian access beyond the bait shop since October 2025, after FDOT inspections following Hurricane Milton found structural issues. On March 20, 2026, Governor DeSantis announced the south pier will be replaced with an entirely new structure, and the north pier will receive improvements to extend its lifespan by 20 years. Demolition begins later in spring 2026, with temporary piers planned so fishing can continue during construction. Check the Florida State Parks website for current access before your visit.

What to Know Before You Go

You cannot stop on the bridge itself — it's an active interstate highway with no shoulders on the main span. For photos, head to Fort De Soto Park on the north side (10 minutes away, $6 parking) or the parking lots on either side of the bridge approaches. Both sunrise and sunset are spectacular — the west-facing cables glow gold in late-day light.

The fishing pier is open 24 hours and entry costs $4 per vehicle plus $4 per person. Bring a wheeled cart for your gear — the walk to the end is over a mile on bare concrete that gets scorching in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast from May through September, and the pier closes during lightning. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are non-negotiable.

The bridge toll is southbound only, $1.75 via SunPass, cash, or Toll-By-Plate. Cash lanes are being phased out — the Skyway is transitioning to electronic-only tolling in 2026. If you're in a rental car without a SunPass, the toll gets billed to the plate and the rental company will add a surcharge. High-profile vehicles like RVs should check FDOT advisories before crossing — the bridge is exposed to strong crosswinds and occasionally closes to high-profile vehicles in heavy weather.