Who remembers old Sunshine Skyway bridges? (Sarasota: live, trailer, architecture)

[Suesbal]

One span was built in the 1950s. Another in the 1970s. In 1980 the newer span was hit by a ship which knocked out a section of highway and killed several people. I remember riding across the old span and looking at the gap in the adjacent span. Instead of repairing the damaged bridge, Florida built the one that exists today.
https://bridgehunter.com/fl/pinellas...nshine-skyway/

[LKJ1988]

The last was done around 1971. The new one started around 1984 and was done around 87.

[engineman]

After the bridge fell some kids climbed up and put graffiti on the broken end.

It was terrible to tow my boat trailer over the mesh deck on the old bridge. The trailer would fishtail big time.

[Huasho]

I Remember them VERY WELL, I lived in Pinellas County between 1973 and 1988, Fished under the 2 Metal Bridges many times and ten under the New One

I was on the Howard Frankestein Bridge headed to the Office under the same storm that caused the Pilots Error and accident, when on the News I heard what had happened.

There was a cafeteria next to the Office when I got there all my coworkers were watchinn the LIVE NEWS of the mess I stood there not believing what I saw.

[peta2013]

Did they tear down the rest of the old bridge? (Been gone for 10+ years)

[Huasho]

Yep....All metal is gone...the concrete aproaches from North and South are now both fishing Piers.

[marc3565]

Shortly after we moved to Florida 5 years ago we had to drive down to Sarasota for some Doctor's appointment. My wife had been here as a child in the late 70s. As we approached the bridge she said the bridge was very scary. She remembered it being scary when the visited family back then.
As we drove over it i said "This isn't scary"... at the time we didn't realize it was not the same bridge

[Huasho]

Well, the New Skyway Version is a LOT HIGHER and winds can be a problem,, therefore there is a warning system in place to avoid the Bridge if there is a problem with high Winds, I only find that once you are that close for the warning, looking for other routes is just about imposible if your are on a short time schedule

[SarahHapner]

I remember the odd roar of the tires rolling on that see-through grate surface. Scary lol

[saltydog920]

I'm not old enough to have seen it in person, but I've watched a documentary on it. Bridge architecture is a weird fascination with me. I do however remember driving over the 'new' SSB as a kid and being in awe at its structure.