Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties to Close Elevated Portion of Friendship TrailBridge
Structural problems are forcing the closure of nearly all of the Friendship TrailBridge, a popular recreational link between Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.
On Tuesday, an inspection found the elevated portion of the TrailBridge has significant structural deficiencies. As a result, officials from both counties decided to immediately close much of the bridge.
Less than half a mile on each end of the bridge will remain open. The rest of the TrailBridge, including all of the humpback center span, will be closed off.
This is the old span of Gandy bridge, which was saved from demolition in 1999, and has since been used as a recreational park / hiking trail. they have always had to deal with a shoestring budget. I don’t think it was ever used as a viewing area for boat races, which could have raised some funds to save this thing (as would a running race, etc.).
Amy
1 year ago
What does this say about the condition of the eastbound span (from Pinellas to Tampa)? Isn’t that part of the old bridge as well? I hope that gets investigated also.
Joseph J. Wagner Jr.
1 year ago
Look at my trail now. Even the web site is shut down. What a loser I am. Joe
Leanne
1 year ago
This is a terrible thing. To close this beautiful walking/biking/recreation trail bridge that is a showcase of the Tampa Bay area. This is a pedestrian bridge and not for vehicle traffic. What standards are they holding it to? Do I want to be on an unsafe brige that may collapse – no. But is that the case with this one? We are all losers if we allow this if it’s not necessary. Does anyone know what standards they’re holding it up to? You watch and see – one of these bikers who are now forced to cross on the bridge with vehicle traffic is going to end up getting killed. This area is just now waking up to making the area bike friendly, this is a terrible set-back!
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » Blog Archive » should we ’save the gandy’ again?
1 year ago
[...] of regular citizens called “Save the Gandy” were successful. Ten years later, the structure has been deemed unsafe, closed to the public, and is at another [...]