Sunshine Skyway Bridge

This bridge is great fun to drive across. If you have time to go out on the beautiful pier for fishing or sunset views, it's worth it. The sentiment from the gate guard to the end is chill and happy. The beautiful Spanish Mackerel, drained, washed and kept in ice and cooked within 24 hours from hook to pan was absolutely delicious fried on setting 4 in herbed butter (similar to yellowtail or whitefish). I added a tiny bit of salt, pepper, garlic, dill and cumin. The deliciously fresh clean flavor was amazing! I wish I had brought home more to freeze!

It is quite striking in appearance. And I think it would be a wonderful view at sunrise and sunset. I've been here before but never commented. If you come here this year, be sure to pass by and even stop in special areas and take photos.

I prefer this route from Manatee County to Tampa International Airport TPA. More scenic and actually faster. The alternare inland route involves several busy multi-lane changes across several interchanges, and pay-by-plate toll fees. The Sunshine Skyway is a great scenic view of the bay, does not involve navigating multi-lane changes across rapid fire interchanges, and has a single pay-in-person toll booth. Much simpler, safer, and one of the most scenic drives in the area. Also, there are two pull-outs along the skyway with restrooms and wading/fishing beaches.

Crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is beautiful any time of day with open water and views all around. Downtown St. Petersburg is visible in the distance with downtown Tampa even farther away. It’s especially nice at sunset when the colors reflect off the water. An impressive drive that really shows off the areas scenery.

Driving across country was a goal of mine.I have seen many great sights and experienced many things. But the Sunset Skyway Bridge tops the cake. Beautiful all around and worth paying to go down the piers and see the sights.

Pretty cool bridge, if you embrace the concept of bridges. The view was amazing, if you embrace the concept of eyes. If you want to see a dolphin they're there, if you embrace the concept of dolphins. I believe in bridges, eyes, and dolphins, so it was a good choice to save a big drive around the bay.

If you want to have this experience and opportunity for great photos, I highly recommend Dylan and Gavin with Coastal Cruises St Pete. I’ve always been intrigued by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, but this was a completely different way to experience it.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of those views... I used to do the commute from Bradenton to St. Pete back in the day... I was always appreciative of my commute. That was probably the only time in my life were I was in awe of my commute... lol. It was one of those rare occasions where I was thankful for everything! I got to drive across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on a regular basis! Occasionally I'd exit the rest stops just to admire the scenic views, especially the Sunsets and sometimes the Sunrise as well. Driving over the bridge was SO surreal....

I don't think I'll ever get tired of those views... I used to do the commute from Bradenton to St. Pete back in the day... I was always appreciative of my commute. That was probably the only time in my life were I was in awe of my commute... lol. It was one of those rare occasions where I was thankful for everything! Driving over the bridge was SO surreal.... I got to drive across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on a regular basis! Occasionally I'd exit the rest stops just to admire the scenic views, especially the Sunsets and sometimes the Sunrise as well.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a pair of long beam bridges with a central tall cable-stayed bridge. It's 21,859′ long & 430′ tall. It spans Lower Tampa Bay connecting Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Florida) to Manatee County (Terra Ceia, Florida). The bridge opened in 1987 and is the 2nd bridge of that name here. It was designed by the Figg & Muller Engineering Group and built by the American Bridge Company. This is a flagship bridge & is the gateway to Tampa Bay. The 4 lane bridge connects Interstate 275 & Route 19, with a $1.75 toll.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world. It's a cable bridge that connects St. Petersburg and Tampa. The current bridge, opened in 1987 and is known for its striking design and bright As you cross over the bridge the views of Tampa Bay and the surrounding area is stunning. It is often considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the United States. This bridge replaced an older version that partially collapsed in 1980 when a freighter hit a column during a storm.

On our way to Tampa a few weeks ago, we were surprised by this incredible "cable-stayed" bridge that is 401 ft tall and attracts people from all over the world to drive across it. It replaced an older bridge that was damaged by a boat collision in 1982 and opened for travel in 1985. I have to admit it made me a little nervous when approaching the top. What if the winds picked up? Luckily, they didn't. Another attraction to this marvelous bridge is the fishing area on the north side of the bridge. Fishermen do very well over there. The next time we are in that area, I will be more prepared to get better pictures of this amazing bridge.

Definitely a landmark in Florida, you can't miss the yellow support cables. At night, the bridge is often lit up in different colors (especially during holidays). At the ends of the bridge, there are multiple fishing piers and areas you can pull off of to take pictures. I do wish the bridge was wider and had the option of pedestrian/cyclist pathways, but this bridge was built nearly 40 years ago so these weren't thought of back then. The bridge is pretty high and narrow so it can be intimidating. But if you are driving through the area and like to see the sights, definitely should drive through and take a look. If you're on a cruise leaving from Tampa, you'll get to go under the bridge!

An absolutely stunning bridge that will help you cross that big body of water underneath. Stretching over 29,000 feet, which is crazzzzzy, this beautiful bridge gives you a nice sightline of Clearwater and the surrounding area. It is is a very smooth ride across this bridge with two lanes on each side so incase someone is driving a little too slow, you'll be able to pass them and continue on with your drive to wherever you may be going. It is a couple dollars to hop onto it and you pay the toll a mile or so before you reach it, but to spend that little cost to avoid local traffic, it's a blessing. Both sides of the bridge are now covered with fencing/blocking to prevent anything from going over the edge of this bridge into the water and I personally think it is a great idea. The bridge is absolutely stunning and I love taking the drive over it because it offers some amazing views. You can also pull off to little beaches on both sides and just relax and take photos with the bridge in the background!

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is beautiful to cross. However, traffic can be horrible. I was visiting a friend in Gulfport, and we were heading to check out an Amish restaurant in Sarasota. When I Googled the trip the night before, it said 45 minutes. When I Googled it Saturday morning at 11 AM, it said 1.5 hours. That's a big difference! Google Maps advised us to go all around Tampa to avoid the bridge. But my friend lived 15 minutes from the bridge. As we approached the bridge, we came to stop. It was stop and go for roughly 20-30 minutes and then like magic traffic opened up. We saw no accident. Just a lot of traffic. The moral of this review is to be cautious of traveling on the bridge during certain times of the day and the weekend. And remember, sunset is the best time to cross!

Not a bad place to fish plenty of room.I wish that the end of the pier would be cleaner.It looks horrible and the restrooms need a lot of attention for the amount of money that we are paying.There has to be someone that is devoted to cleaning this are Overall it was fun and I definitely would recommend coming.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a great bridge to drive over. It is an iconic bridge and gives you an impressive view. The construction of the original bridge began on October 19, 1950. It would open on September 6, 1954. The original bridge hit tragedy when the freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a support column during a sudden squall in 1980. This collision caused catastrophic failure of over 1,200 feet. Six cars, a truck and a bus plummeted 150 feet into Tampa Bay, resulting in thirty-five deaths. After the disaster, the undamaged northbound span was converted back to a two-lane, two-way bridge. A replacement bridge was completed on April 30, 1987. This bridge is something that I always enjoy driving across. It gives a breathtaking water view and if you find yourself crossing it, enjoy the drive.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge connects the mainland (Tera Ceia) Florida with St. Petersburg. The bridge is only 4.14 miles with 4 lanes spanning a width of 94 feet. It goes up to a height of 430 feet to give a 180.5 ft underneath which allow big ships to get to the Port of Manatee. We have been over the Skyway Bridge now and the view is still wonderful. It is a toll bridge with a modest price each way. We, now, have a transponder that charges us automatically when going across. History of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge... Back in May, 1980, a freighter crashed into the support columns of the Sunshine Skyway bridge in a horrible storm, causing a 1,200-foot span of the bridge to collapse into the bay killing 35 people. It has been completely fixed and rebuilt to more modern standards. There are signs on roads connecting to the bridge warning when high winds are present. So far, we haven't driven across in winds. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is beautiful in day and, even more, at night. If you are a bridge-o-phile (loves bridges-and yes, may be a made up word) it is worth checking this bridge out. We will definitely use it again!

What an amazing example of engineering - it always amazes me what man can achieve. The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, often referred to as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge or the Sunshine Skyway, consists of a pair of long beam bridges with a central cable-stayed bridge that spans Lower Tampa Bay to connect 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. The bridge is considered the flagship bridge of Florida and serves as a gateway to Tampa Bay 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 Sunshine Skyway was a two-lane beam bridge with a central truss bridge built directly to the west of the current structure. It was completed in 1954, and a second span was added in 1971 The original Skyway was the site of two major maritime disasters over a four-month period, the second of which resulted in the bridge's partial destruction and eventual replacement. On the night of January 28, 1980, the United States Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn collided with the tanker Capricorn just west of the bridge, resulting in the sinking of the cutter with the loss of 23 crew members in the worst peacetime disaster in the history of the US Coast Guard. On the morning of May 9, 1980, the freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a support pier near the center of the bridge during a sudden squall, resulting in the catastrophic failure of the southbound roadway and the deaths of 35 people when several vehicles (including a Greyhound Bus) plunged into Tampa Bay.Within a few years, the damaged span was partially demolished, the surviving span was partially demolished and converted into a long fishing pier, and the modern Sunshine Skyway was built. The current bridge incorporates numerous safety features designed to protect the structure from ship collisions, as it spans one of the busiest shipping lanes in the United States.

Not living by water, I really enjoyed all the bridges we crossed over while traveling through Florida last year. This bridge is exceptionally beautiful and I took the best pictures I could while on the car. This is a cable stayed bridge that connects St. Petersburg to Terra Celia. You are crossing the lower Tampa Bay. The bridge opened in 1987 and is considered a symbol of Florida.

My gf and I got freaky on the bridge while we were driving down a truck driver looked at us and asked if he could join but we were almost already down the bridge so sadly we had to decline I would recommend the food here too the scraps r a hidden gem I wish I new this earlier that way I could've been eating good food free!!! 5 stars would recommend

3-18-22 & 3-20-22 Always have loved this bridge and a first to Yelp about it for me! This takes you over from St. Petersburg to Tampa and back again. We were on 275 heading North and so glad I was a passenger so I could take photos as well as enjoy the ride over the bridge. The color yellow makes you happy to look at and probably one of the many reasons why it is one of the most famous. The water is so blue and beautiful. There is wire on the sides making it difficult if someone wanted to jump off of it. Definitely brightens up a dreary drive and makes you appreciate the natural beauty below.

Not to be confused with the Moonshine Crossing (where illegal alcohol is hidden), or the Moon Tunnel (you don't want to know). Simply one of the most beautiful bridges in America and a very iconic and important one in my personal history as well - largely because I wrote a long story about this bridge when I was and High School (in exam room settings, at speed, in less than an hour, about 11 pages or so), and it earned me a lot of special credit and local notoriety and infamy. I've been over it many times and it's not even that expensive, which is both surprising and delightful. One of my favorite bridges in America. Also the toll booth people were awesome! Only $1.50 to cross this amazing thing, and yet they made change for me for my $100 bill... my new fave toll booths!

I recently passed over Skyway Bridge on a trip up the west coast of Florida to St. Petersburg. This is cable stayed bridge that is also called the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge or just the Skyway. When you see it, it is a very impressive bridge and its sails are iconic. The bridge stretches 29,040 feet between Bradenton and St. Petersburg. That's over four miles across Tampa Bay. This is actually the second bridge to be built here. The first bridge was an original steel cantilever two-lane bridge built by the Virginia Bridge Company. It was also called the Skyway Bridge and it opened on September 6, 1954. It lasted almost 30 years until two disasters happened close together. In January 1980, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collided with the tanker Capricorn near the bridge. The cutter sank and 23 crew members died. It is considered the Coast Guard's deadliest peacetime disaster. Just a few months later in May 1980, the freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a bridge support during a storm. It caused the structural collapse of the southbound span and six cars, a truck, and a Greyhound bus fell 150 feet into the water below killing 35 people. Only one person survived, Wesley MacIntire, 56 who had the good fortune of having his vehicle land on the ship before it hit the water. After the disasters, the state realized that a new bridge would need to be built. The old bridge was demolished and the supports were turned into fishing piers. A new bridge was designed by Figg and Muller Engineers, with lower-level sections created by several other firms. It was decided the new bridge would be a a cable-stayed bridge where cables extend from towers along the bridge to support the load-bearing deck. This is different than suspension bridges where the deck is suspended from cables attached between multiple towers. Construction of the new bridge began in 1982. The bridge is made of just concrete and steel, making it the longest cable-stayed concrete bridge in the world. The bridge cost $244 million and opened in 1987. The design of the bridge has the cables descending from the two towers of the span are set in the middle of the bridge making it look like sails, with 40-foot roadways on each side. With the cables in the center instead of on the edges of the bridge, you get an clear view of the bay. The cable cases were all bright yellow, representing the rays of sunshine in the Sunshine State. Sadly tragedy still plaques this bridge today. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has become the top suicide spot in the state of Florida with at least 130 people having taken their lives by jumping since the bridge reopened in 1987. It is so incredibly easy to stop your car, jump out, and leap over the low barrier. I can't drive across the bridge without thinking about it. After much reluctance over the years a suicide barrier which is a high fence that can't be scaled, is finally being added to the bridge. The unobstructed view will be lost but lives will be saved.

I've always had a fear of bridges but this one I just love. We've passed over day and night...always beautiful.

Absolutely stunning bridge that carries Interstate 275 and US Route 19 across the Tampa Bay between Saint Petersburg and Terra Ceia. Four lanes of bridge, it is a "cable-stayed" design that was opened for traffic in 1987. The bridge is considered a symbol of Florida and after driving across it today, I can understand why. The Skyway is a toll bridge at $1.50 each way, or $1.07 with a SunPass. Cash is accepted at the toll plaza. It's worth noting that the two fishing piers that parallel the bridge at their initial points are the original approaches to the bridge that the Skyway replaced. [Review 10774 overall, 542 of 2019.]

OK this bridge does scare me....being a born and raise Floridian I've traveled this bridge ALOT. Despite it scaring me due to the height, it does give a breathtaking view of the TB area! There is a toll to take the bridge and they do have fishing exits to go to the old bridge location that is now a fishing pier. The bridge itself is also beautiful and just one of those landmarks of TB. They haven't upgraded these toll booths like the other highways around whereby you don't have to slow when passing through....possibly they'll plan on upgrading but be expected to slow down when going through the toll booths -- which does cause traffic to build up at times. Great way to get from Tampa to Sarasota and have beautiful views along the way.

I'm one of those person who is scared of driving on a long bridge. Fear not everything is going to be okay! The bridge has a beautiful scenery of the ocean in a quick glimpse. The drive is smooth and quick without traffic.

This bridge is a symbol of all bridge in Florida. Skyway connect the two counties and provide the vital connections across the Tampa Bay. It is an awesome fan shaped cable with sail boat feature. The golden cable stay show the sunset color when drive on it. The old was hit and damage during 1980. Many have died that day. The new bridge was completed at 1987. There is a movie Punisher was film here. It is actual at start of movie, Frank Castle stand at the mid main span and have panorama view of the bridge. This bridge symbolizes Tampa Bay. If you take a cruise port of Tampa, it will pass under it. I remember my cruise to Mexico was just a few feet below the bridge. Awesome view. This bridge is tall. During the high wind condition, the bridge was not safe to travel on due to tipping. Especially for the semi-trailer truck. The toll is collected from the traveler who using the bridge and fund the bridge maintenance.

Beautiful, quiet spot, to enjoy all that is FL, and it's surroundings. What I mean by that is, sometimes it's hard to find relief from the heat during the summer months, when you can enjoy outside time, away from the intense sun. This spot is one of the few. I can go here morning, noon, or night. In each visit, I experience a completely different visual environment. My first visit was late at night/early morning, and I was lucky enough to catch some whales hanging out by the bridge where I got to quietly listen to their blowholes! Pretty cool! It was a pretty awesome opportunity. What are unique experience!

This Bridge....hmm....this Bridge is to be experienced. SSB is one of better things humans have done. I prefer driving on it but it's also cool to experience it as a passenger too. Gradual incline and a wondrous view entering Tampa or heading south towards Sarasota. I love driving on this spectacular bridge or viewing it from the water. The architectural cables are so cool and are lit at night. SSB is longer than you expect. You can pull over before the bridge from both N and S sides to view too. On Tampa side there's an old highway that's now used as a fishing pier (separate entrance fee$) adjacent to the SSB that gets you a closer view. SSB has a toll so carry few bucks. I go over 2-3 times round trip just for fun ;-). Cheaper than a roller coaster with fantastic views! Love it!

This highway with a very tall bridge is one of the quickest ways to travel from Tampa to South Florida. If you are scared of heights and must use this bridge, I suggest that you be the passenger and not the driver. Today there were high wind advisories due to a cold front and though we could feel the gusts of wind heading up to the bridge, as we passed over it, the wind was not a problem for steering the car. The lane heading up to toll was a bit congested due to people changing lanes last second and some large trucks deciding if it would be too dangerous to travel. Once on the bridge, it was peacful and the view to the rough water was pretty cool. There are usually plenty of people fishing from the two spans of the old broken bridge, but today it was just too rough out. This is a Florida landmark and has some history from the past. Glad the new bridge is safe and we were able to travel south on it today.

$1.50 to cross the bridge. I was going to StPete. . Nice bridge... The Travel Channel rated the Sunshine Skyway number 3 in its special on the "Top 10 Bridges" in the World. -You can see the former bridge on the side. Those folks fish on that.

5 stars for my favorite bridge in all of Florida. Yep! I said it. We love Florida because we love water and we love that you have to cross bridges to get literally everywhere and anywhere. Heck I cross 2 bridges just to get to the grocery store! The Skyway is a showstopper. The lights at night and the dramatic arc and the view from the top. She's gorgeous. She's wonderful. She can stay. It's not a draw bridge which means you never have to wait- BLESS. It is a toll... so getting on this baddie is gunna cost you (literally).

One of the biggest cable bridges in the USA, prestressed concrete, cable-stayed bridge. It is 1.1 miles in length x 94' wide x 430' high. The clearance for ships is 180.5. The old Bridge collapsed in 1980 when a ship hit one of the up rights. The new one was finished in 1987 with a toll of $1.25 for passenger cars the bridge see over 50,500 car and trucks a day. I think it is one of the prettiest bridges day or nite. The bridge connects Pinellas County, Florida to Manatee County, Florida using US 19 or I-275 north and south bound. It is one of the Top 10 bridges in the world. It's something to see and experience when you get to the top.

Also called the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning lower Tampa bay and connecting St. Petersburg. Opened in 1987, it's 1,200 ft. long. It is a toll road.

Nets are up! "ASSOCIATED PRESS | 10:26 am EST January 10, 2020 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Nets will be going up along a portion of Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which spans the mouth of Tampa Bay and has become a magnet for suicides. The Tampa Bay Times reported Friday that the steel mesh nets will be installed along a 1.5-mile section of the bridge, which reaches heights of 200 feet above the water. The nets will extend 8 feet above the concrete barriers on the bridge, which carries Interstate 275 between Pinellas and Manatee counties. Similar netting is used at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Authorities say the Skyway bridge is one of the four deadliest in the U.S. for suicides. Highway Patrol records show 248 people have died jumping from the span since it opened in 1987. Last year, the Times reported there were 12 suicides. State Transportation Department officials say the $3 million project is scheduled to begin in June. The design is intended to allow drivers to see through the mesh, to permit adequate inspections and to prevent birds from crashing into it. There are also crisis call boxes and surveillance cameras on the bridge.

Longest cable stayed concrete bridge in the world. This bridge has a colorful history of accidents and suicides. Geophyrophobia is real. Beware of weather and wind advisories. The final scene of the 2004 movie "The Punisher" was filmed here. The road has toll of $1.50 which still be can collected with cash at the toll booths. We use SunPass transponder which is a necessity when traveling around Tampa and SW Florida. The Pay by Plate system and use of car rental transponders can be a costly nightmare.

I have so many memories driving over this bridge when I lived in this area 10 years ago. When I go back to visit I always get my camera ready in the car. It's the signature mark of what connects Pinellas and Hillsborough county. Beautiful day and night.

I wasn't aware that this bridge is famous and one of the top 3 bridges in the U.S. until after driving over it. The architecture of this bridge is so unique. This bridge has so much history and was redesigned after it collapsed in the late 80s. Driving through it was such a treat, gorgeous blue sky with just the right amount of fluffy clouds. I definitely escaped reality for a few moments. This bridge has a toll, but won't break the bank, well maybe if you're going on it 727 times a day. $1.25 toll.

What a beautiful bridge, it looks amazing from a distance with the long cables stretched high. It's very memorable. As you approach it, you can see the cables clearly. It being a multi-lane bridge, makes it very easy to drive across.

Lovely bridge with piers on both sides. Great views. Fun to go under on a cruise although not high enough for the new big ships to get to Tampa :*( Fortunately, Boon is going to dredge a new channel to one side of the bridge after the suspension span and set up a drawbridge system as a workaround. Yeaaaaah Boon!!! Mellow Yellow. Does close when it get windy and stormy. Alternatively you can take 75 or 301 around to get down to Bradenton and Sarasota from Tampa. But from St. Pete or for a fun view this is a cool route. :)

The new lighting is great and the bridge is a fun drive. The new fencing for suicide prevention is unfortunately necessary but it is a bummer for the views of the Bay and Gulf. Iconic landmark for Tampa Bay!

Beautiful bridge with a great view. I'm just glad I wasn't the one driving over it because it seems a little scary.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a beautiful structure that spans a beautiful bay between Bradenton and St. Petes and can host some of the most beautiful sunsets you'll ever witness. This bridge has always attracted people from around the world as they pass through the area and has caused many people to alter their original route so they can witness it's awesome beauty. The bridge does have a reputation of instilling fear in many people as they climb the steep grade to the top I attribute this to the height combined with the winds, to fully appreciate the experience roll your windows down turn the radio off and enjoy. No need to worry that your car will be blown off the bridge, they close the bridge when the winds reach 49 m.p.h. So if your lucky enough to get winds gusting close to that you'll get an opportunity to see what others express as fear. I've rode amusement park rides that didn't come close to crossing this bridge when the winds are roaring add in darkness and a little fog it can be a little spooky but don't let those minor details keep you away. Sadly it also attracts a lot of those who choose to end their existence by taking a leap from the top. The state has incorporated surveillance cameras and call stations at the top to try minimize the phenomenon but still hundreds still choose to have this view their last. It is illegal to stop anywhere on this structure unless it's an emergency, stopping triggers a response by the highway patrol. Vital Statistics: Location: St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Florida, USA Completion Date: 1987 Cost: $244 million Length: 29,040 feet Type: Cable-Stayed Purpose: Roadway Materials: Steel, concrete Longest Single Span: 1,200 feet Engineer(s): Figg & Muller Engineering Group Completed in 1987, the Sunshine Skyway is the world's longest cable-stayed concrete bridge. It is probably the best known of the several dozen cable-stayed bridges that have been built in the United States since the late 1970s. Its popularity may be due to its unique color -- its cables are painted a bright taxicab yellow -- but the bridge also boasts an interesting history.

As far as bridges go, yep it's a nice one. Big, beautiful, and long. I pass over this one a couple times a year and am always impressed. Not to sure how to write a review on a bridge but if I were a bridge I could only hope I was as cool as this one. In my humble opinion this bridge is better viewed from a boat, just East of said bridge about a mile. With a beer in hand and the sun setting in the background. I'm just sayin. Wish I had a picture of that so I could share but will have to wait on that till later. Until then Cheers.

I love this bridge! It's is one of the most beautiful bridge structures that I have ever driven on, and the views on this bridge and of the bridge are always gorgeous. It doesn't matter the time of day or the weather. Actually, the views are beautiful during the crazy weather. However, you do have to check that the bridge is open during the crazy weather, cause it does get shut down when there are high winds. This is not a bridge you can walk the span of, but there are fishing piers on both sides. And I love how when you're driving up it, it looks like you're driving into the sky. Totally reminds me of the end of the Grease. I love it!

Well since Dallas has a review worthly bridge now (http://www.yelp.com/biz/margaret-hunt-hill-bridge-dallas) I figured I'd give a shout out to a St. Pete favorite, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Without it, one would have to drive all the way to Tampa to pick up Interstate 75. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a huge time saver, but it's also beautiful, even though it has a tragic past. I was actually living in Florida at the time when the Summit Venture collided with a pier support for the southbound lanes of the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The span collapsed sending six cars, a truck, and a Greyhound bus 150 feet into the waters below. 35 people died. Amazingly one man survived when his car landed on the deck of the Summit Venture (before falling into the water). It does give me pause every time we cross this bridge heading to points south of St. Petersburg Beach. Now, as you drive across the terrifyingly tall new bridge, you can see remnants of the old bridge, which have now been turned into a very long fishing pier (accessible from both ends).

The skyway bridge is my favorite bridge in the area. It's not as nice as some out there, but who cares about them? The toll stinks, sometimes traffic is a mess, and it gets closed every so often due to high winds, but I still enjoy it. I don't find it scary, but it is very tall. One of the more interesting things for me is there are call boxes at the top that connect to a crisis center. I think these are the only phones on Florida highways now and it's all because this is a spot that sees a fair number of suicides that don't really get noticed. It's not quite a scenic route kind of bridge, but it is nice to take out of towers on it.

Love driving over this bridge twice a day and now with the new lighting under the span I'm enjoying the light show twice a day.

It would be a long drive all the way around the other direction if this bridge was not here. So it get 5 stars for doing it's job, haha! Occasionally the bridge will close due to dense fog or very high winds, but most of the time it is open and heavily traveled seeing about 50,000 cars per day. Some drivers fear driving up the bridge as it can be a bit scary, because you can not see over the hump until you reach the peak. Then the views from there are amazing! The full name of the bridge is the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It took 5 years to build this bridge which was completed and opened in 1987. It cost about $244 million to build. This bridge is a replacement for the original bridge built in 1954 that was partially destroyed in a collision in 1980. The bridge is 1.1 miles across, 94 feet wide, with a height of 430 feet, and a below clearance of 174 feet. It is constructed of steel and concrete and considered a cable-stayed bridge. The Travel Channel ranked this bridge #3 in best bridges in the world. There have been many automobile commercials filmed on the bridge. The bridge is part US 19 (SR 55) and I-275 (SR 93), connecting St. Petersburg in Pinellas County and Terra Ceia in Manatee County, Florida, passing through Hillsborough County waters. Stopping on the bridge for any non-emergency, including sightseeing, is prohibited. Also, pedestrians and bicycles are also prohibited. Florida Governor and then US Senator Bob Graham was a major influence in the design of this bridge. After a trip to France, where saw the Brotonne Bridge, he knew this was what he wanted in Florida. The bridge was designed by the Figg & Muller Engineering Group, and built by the American Bridge Company. On a sad note, this bridge is also famous for suicide jumpers, and is ranked #4 in the US for the most jumpers, averaging about 10 per year.

This just may be the best bridge in the Tampa Bay Area. Without this bridge, going to Sarasota would take more than an hour extra. It's the best way to head south for most of the area. A very tall well constructed bridge with an amazing view if you aren't too scared of heights to look out the window. While it looks incredibly steep when you're approaching the bridge, it's just an optical illusion. The toll is not too expensive but the booth gets backed up. Getting a Sunpass definitely helps, can easily save you 5 minutes. If weather is bad or it is too windy you can be turned away and not allowed to cross. Definitely keep this in mind if there's a major storm in the area as it could take an extra 2 hours to go the other way around. Also, it hasn't collapsed... which is nice.

Although it's very tall I feel safe traveling over this bridge. Sides are high and road maintained well. Don't mind paying $1.25 toll for the convenience of getting to the other side of the bay. The rest stop on the north side has been completely rebuilt. Bathrooms are very clean and security guard on site. The one on the south side is closed and being rebuilt. Nice area with tables next to the bay, well maintained.

If you have a fear of heights, then you might want to close your eyes before reading any further... The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, more commonly known as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, connects the southern tip of St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia in Manatee County. The bridge spans the Tampa Bay waterways with a spectacular cable-stayed main span, and a total length of 21,877 feet, which is a bit over 4 miles. At it's maximum height, the Skyway is a whole lotta long-way-down-there above the water line. The waterway underneath the bridge is technically part of Hillsborough County, and since the northern end of the bridge is in Pinellas, and the southern end is in Manatee, it always means all hands on deck whenever there's an accident on or near the Skyway. Construction of the current bridge began in 1982, and the bridge was dedicated in 1987. The new bridge cost $244 million to build, and it replaced an older bridge constructed in 1954, which was partly destroyed in 1980. A structural collapse was caused by a collision with the bridge support by the inbound freighter Summit Venture in 1980, which killed 35 people and ultimately ended the bridge spans' useful life. The remnants of the causeway to the old bridge still exist and have been turned into popular fishing piers from both the north and south ends. The remnants of the old bridge were towed out into the Gulf, and sunk to form an artificial reef for the fishies. You'll see lots of beach-goers, boaters, kite surfers, and fishermen all around the Skyway. This is a very popular spot for photographers as well. Because of its height above the emerald-green Gulf waters, length of continuous travel, location in a warm-weather state, and modern architectural design, the Sunshine Skyway is a popular spot for filming automobile commercials. Since most people have a deathly fear of heights, you'll find that a lot of drivers will stick to the inside lanes of the bridge in order to avoid riding too close to the railing. If you can stomach the view as you drive across, then you'll be treated to sweeping vistas of the Gulf of Mexico, the waters of Tampa Bay, and the Tampa skyline. By the way, the height of the bridge "hides" the downslope of the main section, and so it looks as though you're climbing and climbing into oblivion. Remember that scene in the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" where they jump off the cliff into the rushing river below? All the way down they're screaming, "Holy Shiiiiiiiiiii......" Yeah, the Skyway Bridge is kinda like that too. 5 Stars for total awesomeness!!!

My wife freaked out once we reached the peak of the bridge while driving from Tampa to Sarasota. It is surprisingly taller than it looks once you are up in the air. If I'm being honest, although I teased my wife as she frantically gripped anything she could find in the car (as if holding something would stop the bridge from falling)... I was kinda freaked out too. I had butterflies in my stomach because my mind floated through multiple scenarios of something going wrong while driving across this concrete & steel monster. My imagination is a product of several earthquake movies growing up, so you'll have to forgive me for almost loosing my MANcard with the thought of it collapsing with us on it. Not to mention there was also the stray thought of some giant sea creature rising from the bay waters pissed off about something. Of course fatal timing would have this happen just and I'm crossing, but who knows what damage that dang Kraken might do before I could floor it to the other side. Sad I know, but don't act like you haven't had these thoughts before too! Anyway, it's a beautiful structure with a beautiful view that might have the squeamish in need of a diaper prior to crossing. -------------- - - - - - HISTORICAL SIDE NOTE: The original bridge, opened in 1954, actually DID collapse after a freighter collided with a structural support column in May of 1980. The accident is known as the Summit Venture disaster and killed 35 people when 1,200 feet of the bridge collapsed into the bay. The new bridge, opened in 1987, has been known to have many suicide jumps, as many as 171 to date (unofficial). One of the most recent was a NCAA football coach as well as several attempts just this month in September of 2013.

Three stars solely based on my husbands ability to drive this bridge with ease! I HAT BRIDGES!!! Yes, I said it! I have such a fear of driving straight off the side every time I enter one. That being said, it is a very well structured bridge with an absolutely amazing view. I also saw that there are areas that you can fish from which I think is super cool! Ok, I made my point, decent bridge for this non-bridge person ;-)

4.1 miles of concrete and steel wonder. Two main supports on the middle of the bridge, elegant cables stringing the span. Unobstructed view of the Bay is breathtaking. Picturesque any time of the day, it is absolutely beautiful during sunsets or sunrises. If you are driving from Tampa to St. Petersburg, you cannot miss it - enjoy those views!