TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Several major bridges in the Tampa Bay area are closing as Hurricane Milton approaches, with officials urging residents to plan their evacuation routes accordingly.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and local law enforcement in Tampa and Clearwater are coordinating the closures to ensure public safety.
FDOT crews and law enforcement will be on-site to close the bridges once hazardous conditions arise. Officials warn that once bridges are closed, they will be unsafe for crossing—even if no physical barriers or officers are present. Residents are urged to avoid attempting to cross closed bridges, as conditions will be too dangerous.
Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater:
- Sunshine Skyway Bridge: The bridge is officially closed to all traffic.
- Howard Frankland and Gandy Bridges: Monitored by FHP, these bridges will close if water encroaches on the approaches. FDOT crews are preparing for potential closures by Wednesday afternoon for safety reasons.
- Courtney Campbell Causeway: Monitored by the Tampa and Clearwater Police Departments, this causeway will close when water levels near the approaches make travel unsafe. Closures are anticipated by Wednesday afternoon.
Manatee County:
- Jim Davis Road at Gamble Creek: Effective Wednesday at 7 a.m.
- Golf Course Road at Gamble Creek: Effective Wednesday at 7 a.m.
- Verna Bethany at the Manatee River: Effective Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Sarasota County:
- Bridges to barrier islands: (Bird Key, St. Armands Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key) closed Tuesday
- Bridges with restricted access:
- • John Ringling Causeway
- • Siesta Drive Bridge
- • Stickney Point Bridge
- • Blackburn Point Swing Bridge
- • Albee Road Bridge
- • Manasota Beach Road Bridge
Safety Precautions
Electronic message boards will be in place to notify motorists of bridge closures. While law enforcement and traffic resources may be available during the initial phases of bridge closures, there will come a time when it is unsafe for personnel to remain on-site.
Following the landfall of Hurricane Milton, FDOT will conduct safety inspections, and bridges will reopen as soon as conditions allow.
For real-time updates on closures and openings, visit www.FL511.com.