Sunshine Skyway

The M/V Summit Venture crashed into the bridge, sending vehicles into the water and killing 35 on May 9, 1980. Wes MacIntire recounts how he managed to be the only one to make it out of the water alive.

On May 9, 1980, the M/V Summit Venture crashed into the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, sending cars plunging into the water and killing 35.

A new state law aimed at blocking a proposed cruise port in Manatee County may still leave the door open to large-scale development in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, according to environmental advocates and legal experts.

The change begins Sunday, April 12.

DeSantis said the south pier will be replaced and the north pier improved following damage from Hurricane Milton.

An amended bill headed to the governor's desk would severely restrict dredging in an area near the Sunshine Skyway that would be used by large cruise ships .

After inspections, officials determine about a half-mile of span, accessed from Manatee County, can no longer safely handle vehicles or pedestrians. The north pier remains opens on the Pinellas end.

A presentation on Thursday and Friday will recall the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse on its 45th anniversary.

A USF oceanography expert says designers "went to great lengths" to reduce the possibility of a collapse — especially since its predecessor was destroyed when it was struck by a freighter.

The NTSB did not conclude that the Skyway, Jacksonville's Dames Point Bridge or the others are certain to collapse. But, like the Key Bridge, those spans are regularly exposed to large container ships.

On this episode of Florida Matters, we talk with two people involved in the Sunshine Skyway Bridge documentary, including one of the divers who helped recover the victims.

On this episode of Florida Matters, we talk with two people involved in the Sunshine Skyway Bridge documentary, including one of the divers who helped recover the victims.