Extreme wind gusts shut down Florida bridge, cause backups on I-75
Florida transportation officials have been forced to shut down one of the state’s major bridges after high winds created a dangerous driving situation.
Just before 8 a.m. on Friday, December 21, the Florida Highway Patrol shut down the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay after wind gusts of 78 miles per hour were recorded.
There is no estimated time for the bridge to reopen.
#Skyway The skyway bridge remains closed as windspeeds continue to fluctuate between 40 and 60 mph or higher. For live updates check out the FHP app for your phones where you can monitor live crash and roadway reports. pic.twitter.com/0c9niwK94O
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) December 21, 2018
Typically, wind speeds of just 40 miles per hour are all it takes for officials to shut down the bridge, according to Fox 13.
In the video below, you can see strong winds violently shaking traffic cameras aimed at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
VIDEO: An example of why the Skyway Bridge was closed to traffic this morning! #whoa #windsat57mph 😱 https://t.co/b5Cjw3tISy pic.twitter.com/bNm9BnxwEM
— Spectrum Bay News 9 (@BN9) December 21, 2018
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge shutdown is causing traffic backups on I-75 as travelers seek alternate routes. US-301 is being suggested as another alternate route.
SKYWAY BRIDGE CLOSED: High winds have shut down the bridge, per Florida Highway Patrol. Take I-75 as an alternate route! UPDATES HERE: https://bit.ly/2SeME2W
Posted by FOX 13 News – Tampa Bay on Friday, December 21, 2018