Maryland bridge collapse compared to 1980 Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — On the morning of May 9, 1980, the Summit Venture hit the Skyway Bridge and caused a catastrophic collapse, similar to what happened Tuesday with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland.

Thirty-five people died when the Skyway Bridge fell. At least six people are listed as missing in the Maryland collapse.

In 1980, Paul Hornbuckle was driving onto the Skyway Bridge in very bad weather.

“It was raining, cats and dogs of course,” he said in a previous interview. “It was dark, the wind was blowing like a hurricane. I was driving at about 20 to 25 mph.”

Hornbuckle was passed by a bus that was driving a little bit faster.

“A Greyhound bus or some type of bus passed me, doing about 30 to 35 mph, very slow,” he said.

The bus went over and into the water as the bridge fell. Hornbuckle managed to stop his car on the very edge of the bridge.

Photos that show the collapse of the Skyway Bridge often show his car on the edge.

Hornbuckle has since passed away, but never forgot the events of that day.

Former WFLA News Anchor Bob Hite covered the bridge collapse extensively and also vividly recalls the details.

“It was just overwhelming,” Hite said. “I’d never seen a bridge collapse of any kind, prior to that,” Hite said.

He said there are many similarities in the two incidents, but he says in the case of the Skyway, traffic was not completely blocked as it is in Maryland.

“In our case, it’s two spans, two twin spans,” Hite said. “So the artery was not totally closed from St. Pete to Manatee County.”

It took years to design and construct a new bridge over the Tampa Bay. The Skyway collapsed in 1980, but a new bridge did not open until 1987.

Hite said there were lessons learned in the process.

“Well, we learned our lessons in that the fendering, which is put up around the stanchions that hold the bridge up, was entirely insufficient,” Hite said.

In a statement, The Florida Department of Transportation said a number of new safety features were built into the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge to prevent a similar tragedy.

“Specifically, numerous safety enhancements have been implemented at the Skyway Bridge to safeguard against collisions. These measures include elevating the bridge, widening the channel, and incorporating two layers of protection for bridge piers. Most notably, features such as ‘Dolphins,’ which serve as physical barriers as well as rock islands that completely surround the main channel supports and go all the way to the sea floor. Additionally, Florida maintains continuous coordination with various stakeholders, including local law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and seaport authorities, to ensure comprehensive safety measures are in place.”

These design features are things that may be included in a new Francis Scott Key Bridge when it’s built.

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