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The True Story of Tampa Bay's Signature Bridge and the Man Who Brought It Down

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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Skyway: The True Story of Tampa Bay's Signature Bridge and the Man Who Brought It Down

by Jayne Buxton

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3212 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	257 pages

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the world. It spans the mouth of Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg to Bradenton. The bridge is a marvel of engineering, and it has become a symbol of the Tampa Bay area.

But what most people don't know is the tragic story behind the construction of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. In 1980, a section of the bridge collapsed, killing 35 people. The man responsible for the collapse was a young engineer named Bob Sumner.

Sumner was a brilliant engineer, but he was also a perfectionist. He was determined to build the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the highest standards possible. But in his quest for perfection, he made a fatal mistake.

Sumner designed the bridge to be built using a new type of concrete called "lightweight concrete." This concrete was lighter and stronger than traditional concrete, and it was supposed to make the bridge more resistant to hurricanes. But Sumner did not properly test the concrete before using it in the bridge.

As a result, the concrete was not strong enough to withstand the forces of a hurricane. In 1980, Hurricane Bob made landfall in Tampa Bay, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was in its path. The hurricane winds caused the bridge to collapse, and 35 people were killed.

The collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was a tragedy. It was a preventable tragedy, and it was caused by the mistakes of a single engineer. Bob Sumner was a brilliant engineer, but he was also a perfectionist. He was so determined to build the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the highest standards possible that he overlooked a fatal flaw in his design.

The collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a reminder that even the most brilliant minds can make mistakes. It is also a reminder that we must never take safety for granted. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a beautiful and iconic structure, but it is also a reminder of the tragedy that can occur when we fail to put safety first.

The Aftermath of the Collapse

The collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge had a profound impact on the Tampa Bay area. The bridge was a vital link between St. Petersburg and Bradenton, and its collapse caused major traffic disruptions. The bridge also had a significant economic impact on the area. Many businesses lost customers because of the bridge closure, and some businesses were forced to close their doors altogether.

The collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge also had a psychological impact on the Tampa Bay area. The bridge was a symbol of the area's progress and prosperity, and its collapse was a reminder of the fragility of life. Many people were afraid to drive over the new bridge when it was rebuilt, and some people even avoided the area altogether.

The collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a tragedy that will never be forgotten. It is a reminder that we must never take safety for granted, and that even the most brilliant minds can make mistakes.

The New Sunshine Skyway Bridge

After the collapse of the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a new bridge was built to replace it. The new bridge was designed to be more resistant to hurricanes, and it was built using traditional concrete. The new bridge opened in 1987, and it has been a vital link between St. Petersburg and Bradenton ever since.

The new Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a beautiful and iconic structure. It is a testament to the resilience of the Tampa Bay area, and it is a reminder that even after tragedy, there is always hope.

Bob Sumner's Legacy

Bob Sumner was a brilliant engineer, but he made a fatal mistake. The collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was a tragedy, and it was caused by Sumner's mistake. But Sumner's legacy is more than just the collapse of the bridge. He was also a pioneer in the field of bridge engineering, and he made many contributions to the design and construction of bridges.

Sumner's work helped to make bridges safer and more resistant to hurricanes. He was a brilliant engineer, and his legacy will continue to live on long after the tragedy of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Skyway: The True Story of Tampa Bay's Signature Bridge and the Man Who Brought It Down

by Jayne Buxton

4.7 out of 5