I also would be very interested in the thoughts of anyone who has "camped" on the fishing access over night and what size rig they have. In driving over the bridge I have seen some larger class As so I have assumed the parking and driving lanes are large enough. Also, is it possibe to put a slide out? Thanks.
This sad story was in the Tampa Tribune The other day.
ST. PETERSBURG - The state will close the eastern portions of the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers because years of deterioration and saltwater corrosion make them difficult to maintain.
That means pushing a little closer together on the remaining western piers for the 335,000 people who use the popular fishing spots each year.
The eastern piers, built in 1954, will close Aug. 29, the state's Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday.
When the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built over Tampa Bay in 1987, connecting St. Petersburg with Manatee County, the old bridges were opened as the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.
It consists of two sets of piers, north and south, that stretch into Tampa Bay. Each set has an east and west side made from two former bridges joined together to make travel easier for drivers and pedestrians.
The east piers are closest to the Sunshine Skyway.
The west piers, built in 1971, will remain open 24 hours, but the state will continue to evaluate them. Inspectors regularly check the piers for cracks and deterioration, DOT spokeswoman Kris Carson said.
"It's really been the past few weeks it reached a point of a concern," she said.
The east piers were built to last 50 years, so paying to repair and maintain them is no longer reasonable, Carson said.
The west piers also will need repairs. Adding 10 years to their life, through 2031, is expected to cost $10 million.
Crews are modifying the west piers to accommodate two-way traffic and 300 parking spaces.
Cars and light trucks without trailers will be allowed on the west piers. Large trucks and recreational vehicles will be prohibited, but parking for large vehicles will be available near the piers.
Reporter Steven Girardi can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or sgirardi@tampatrib.com
Reader Comments
If you check their web site you will find this posting!!
On Thursday, August 21, 2008 21, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., there will no longer be recreational vehicles (RVs), large trucks or trailers permitted on the Skyway Fishing Piers. Beginning Friday, August 29, 2008, the east portions of the north and south piers will be closed indefinitely due to concerns for public safety.
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