Community Sunshine Skyway Reopens With Higher Toll in Effect

BRADENTON – The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has reopened, but travelers may be surprised when they learn it will cost more to cross it. No, the state is not seeking to make up revenue lost by the longest closure in more than a decade due to strong winds caused by Tropical Storm Debby. The new cost is $1.25.

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The increases actually went into effect Sunday, prior to FHP's decision to close the bridge. The 25 cent rise in toll fare is the result of a state law that requires the fare to be indexed for inflation.

Increases will impact the four toll plazas owned by the state Department of Transportation the (Sunshine Skyway, Pinellas Bayway, Alligator Alley and the Beachline Expressway) as well as a dozen of others owned by the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.

In a related press release, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Executive Director Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said, “The additional revenues collected as part of the toll rate indexing will provide transportation funding to provide much needed relief to already congested corridors. This will be accomplished by adding lanes and converting toll booths to an all electronic system, resulting in the added benefit of improved safety.”