Skyway Bridge recommendation for risk assessment stirs memories of collapse

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — There’s a push to prevent tragedy from happening again.

It’s been one year since the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore. This week, the National Transportation Safety Board released a new report that evaluated the safety of other bridges throughout the country.

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The NTSB announced Maryland authorities overlooked important safety evaluations to determine the bridge’s vulnerability to a collision.

“What we are telling bridge owners is that they need to know the risk and determine what actions they need to take to ensure safety,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Thursday.

The agency is now drawing attention to 68 iconic bridges nationwide that need urgent risk assessments, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

“I have confidence in the people that would follow up and check on it to make sure things are as safe as they can be,” said Evelyn Campbell.

The Skyway Bridge connects Pinellas and Manatee counties.

However, the history of the bridge comes with haunting memories for many.

On the morning of May 9, 1980, the Summit Venture hit the Skyway Bridge and caused a catastrophic collapse, similar to what happened to the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

“We were here,” said John Crescitelli. “It was scary. It was frightening.”

Thirty-five people died when the Skyway Bridge collapsed.

“We never want any lives lost,” said Campbell. “That was a terrible tragedy that occurred.”

It took years to design and construct a new bridge over Tampa Bay.

The Sunshine Skyway collapsed in 1980, but a new bridge did not open until 1987.

“It’s a beautiful structure and just a marvel to us that we have it,” said Crescitelli.

The Florida Department of Transportation released a statement following the Francis Scott Key bridge last year.

The agency says a number of new safety features were built into the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge to prevent a similar tragedy. The full statement is below.

“Specifically, numerous safety enhancements have been implemented at the Skyway Bridge to safeguard against collisions. These measures include elevating the bridge, widening the channel, and incorporating two layers of protection for bridge piers. Most notably, features such as ‘Dolphins,’ which serve as physical barriers as well as rock islands that completely surround the main channel supports and go all the way to the sea floor. Additionally, Florida maintains continuous coordination with various stakeholders, including local law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and seaport authorities, to ensure comprehensive safety measures are in place.”

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