Skyway Bridge To Close State and local officials are preparing to close all major bridges crossing Tampa Bay on Wednesday afternoon as Hurricane M
State and local officials are preparing to close all major bridges crossing Tampa Bay on Wednesday afternoon as Hurricane Milton threatens the region. Anyone planning to evacuate using these bridges is urged to do so immediately.
The closures will affect the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Howard Frankland Bridge, the Gandy Bridge, and the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The decision to close the bridges is being made in collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and the cities of Tampa and Clearwater.
READ: Pinellas County Adds 3 New Shelters As Hurricane Milton Closes In
Bridge Closure Protocols
- Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Will close when sustained wind speeds exceed 45 mph.
- Howard Frankland and Gandy Bridges: Monitored by FHP and closed when water levels on the approaches pose a safety risk.
- Courtney Campbell Causeway: Monitored by Tampa and Clearwater police departments and closed when water levels threaten the approaches.
Message boards will be in place to alert motorists of bridge closures. While law enforcement may be present initially to guide traffic, there will come a point when it is no longer safe for personnel to remain on the bridges.
READ: Hillsborough County Opens More Shelters As Hurricane Milton Approaches
Important Reminder:
The public is strictly prohibited from crossing any of the bridges once they are closed, even if no physical barriers or law enforcement are present.
Bridge Reopening
Authorities will reopen the bridges as soon as it is safe to do so following the storm. However, potential damage from Hurricane Milton may require repairs, potentially delaying reopening. Real-time updates on bridge closures and reopenings can be found at www.FL511.com.
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