1954 - Governor Charley Johns presided over the opening of the two-lane Sunshine Skyway toll bridge over Tampa Bay. This bridge was Florida’s highest when it was opened. On May 9, 1980, a phosphate carrier toppled the main span of this bridge, causing 35 people to plunge to their deaths. A new bridge was constructed (1982-1986) to replace it. (Cost-$244 million!) The vertical clearance of the latest bridge is 175 feet and spans more than 1200 feet of water.