Sunshine Skyway Bridge Closed Due To Tropical Storm Eta: FHP

Bradenton FL

11 November, 2020

11:49 AM

Description

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The Sunshine Skyway Bridge shut down Wednesday around 10:45 a.m. due to strong winds from Tropical Storm Eta, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release. Winds speeds are around 50 mph. The four-lane cable-stayed concrete bridge with northbound and southbound lanes is part of I-275 and U.S. Highway 19. It connects Pinellas and Manatee counties. The bridge closes when there are maximum sustained winds of 40 mph or higher. State troopers encourage drivers to find alternative routes as Eta makes its way toward the Tampa Bay area and other parts of Florida's west coast. There's currently a tropical storm warning for the region. The bridge was also briefly closed Monday morning when the county was under a tropical storm warning as Eta, then a tropical storm, moved across South Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico.