EAST SIDE SPANS OF THE PIERS TO CLOSE!

[Floridaboy]

Just saw it on CH 13 news. DOT is closing the east side spans of both piers! They were built in 1954 and are too expensive to maintain.


What now? 2 way traffic with no parking? Are they going to leave them in place?

I think we should start a grassroots effort to change their mind!

[jab]

i hope we can still fish from it maybe theyll rebiuld it how can we change there minds?

[pascosal]

here is the storyfrom TBO.com

ST. PETERSBURG - The state will close the eastern portions of the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers because years of deterioration and saltwater corrosion make them difficult to maintain.

That means pushing a little closer together on the remaining western piers for the 335,000 people who use the popular fishing spot each year.

The eastern piers, built in 1954, will close Aug. 29, the state's Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection announced today.

When the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built over Tampa Bay in 1987, connecting St. Petersburg with Manatee County, the old bridges were opened as the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

It consists of two piers, north and south, that stretch into Tampa Bay. Each north and south pier consists of two former bridges, joined together to make travel easier for drivers and pedestrians.

The western piers, built in 1971, will remain open 24 hours but the state will continue to evaluate them. Crews are modifying the western piers to accommodate two-way traffic and parking.

Inspectors regularly check the piers for cracks and deterioration, said DOT spokeswoman Kris Carson.

"It's really been the past few weeks it reached a point of a concern," Carson said.

The eastern piers were built to last 50 years, so paying to repair and maintain them is no longer reasonable, she said.

The western piers also will need repairs. Adding 10 years to their life, through 2031, is expected to cost $10 million.

The piers opened on each side of the new Sunshine Skyway when it was built over Tampa Bay in 1987. They run parallel to each other. The eastern piers are those closest to the new skyway.

Reporter Steven Girardi may be reached at [phone] or at [e-mail]

[pascosal]

www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/21/eastern-skyway-piers-will-close-aug-29/

here is the link to the story as well

[bcc]

Id like to throw an idea into the hat here. If somehow they determine that the eastern half could be accesable by foot mabey they could buil a few cat walks connecting the 2 sides. Thye could be like 15 ft wide to allow fishing on them and have them mabey about 10 ft closer to the water like the cat walk at the johns pass ?

[BigDawg71]

That blows...this is a favorite fishing destiantion for my kids and shutting down a portion will really make it more crowded than it already gets on the weekends. :-(

[bcc]

Sounds like fender bender city with only 1 span.

[montylfl]

I AM FEED UP AND I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE>

It is time for action.

Time for all us pier rats to stand up and fight.
Contact your local Representative .

Call Them
Email them.
Call all the numbers below.

This is not right. First the east side, then they will move the baithouse to the where you pay to get on and close half the pier.

Would not be surprised if boaters are behind this. More easy bait for them.

We Taxpayers have rights too. If they can spend millions on a bridge to nowhere I sure they can find money to keep the piers opening for fishing. They just need to be reminded.

I know I will be busy over the next few days, months and weeks calling and email all the reps below. They will get to know Montylfl.

LETS GO FISHERMAN. SAVE OUR PIER.
( Maybe we need another decal. Any one have any ideas/)

Rep. Peter Nehr
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....89&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1003 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Tarpon Tower-Suite 430
905 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-4829
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
William Wallis
District Secretary:
Jeanne Marino


Rep. Bill Heller
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....92&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1302 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Alexander Building
535 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3703
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistants:
Jimmie Day
Merritt Martin

Rep. Rick Kriseman
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....93&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1302 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 203
1700 66th Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33710-5510
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistants:
David Flintom
Kevin King
District Secretary:
None

Rep. Ed Homan
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....75&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
317 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 311
9385 N. 56th Street
Temple Terrace, FL 33617-5505
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Janet Roder
District Secretary:
Paula Tonelli

Rep. Kevin C. Ambler
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....72&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
410 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 301-A
3820 Northdale Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33624-1865
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Sunny Phillips
District Secretary:
Amber Smith

Rep. Thomas "Tom" Anderson
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....71&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
417 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
2236 US Highway 19
Mount Vernon Professional Center
Holiday, FL 34691-4351
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Tracy Caddell
District Secretary:
Evelyn Haas


Rep. Marsha L. "Marty" Bowen
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....26&SessionId=57
Speaker pro tempore (2007 - 2008)
Capitol Office:
317 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
353 Avenue "C" Southwest
Winter Haven, FL 33880-3262
Phone: [phone]
or
PO Box 7229
Winter Haven, FL 33883-7229
Legislative Assistant:
Hedy Weddington
District Secretary:
Trudy Vice

Rep. Faye B. Culp
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....74&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
204 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 105
4302 Henderson Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33629-5608
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Melonie Hoyt
District Secretary:
Gloria Perez
Rep. Keith Fitzgerald
Capitol Office:
1301 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 310-311
1660 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34236-6808
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Duncan Kirby
District Secretary:
Charolett Bake

Rep. James C. "Jim" Frishe
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....95&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1102 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite A
125 Indian Rocks Road North
Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770-1727
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Sue Berfield
District Secretary:
Tanya Moore

Rep. Bill Galvano
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....78&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
214 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 715
1023 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205-7829
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Kathy Galea
District Secretary:
Mark Pinto

Rep. Richard "Rich" Glorioso
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....43&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
405 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 204
110 W. Reynolds Street
Plant City, FL 33563-3379
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Cori Cuttler
District Secretary:
Robyn Bryant

Rep. Doug Holder
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....72&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1101 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
=District Office:
8486 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34238-2953
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Scott Laster
District Secretary:
Carol Carlson

Rep. John Legg
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....50&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
319 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
10014 Grove Drive
Port Richey, FL 34668-3401
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Amanda Haider Stewart
District Secretary:
Becky Zizzo

Rep. Janet C. Long
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....91&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1402 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 101, Colonial Bank Building
5511 Park Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33709-6399
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Katie Eiland
District Secretary:
Kathryn Larkin

Rep. Seth McKeel
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....68&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1101 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
250 E. Highland Drive
Lakeland, FL 33813-1725
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Callie Neslund
District Secretary:
None

Rep. Darryl Ervin Rouson
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....28&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
210 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
St. Petersburg Office:
1198 62nd Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33705-5620
Phone: [phone]
or
Manatee Office: Suite 304
302 Manatee Avenue East
Bradenton, FL 34208-1901
Phone: [phone]

Rep. Robert C. "Rob" Schenck
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....86&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1102 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
The Lincoln Centre
12503 Springhill Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34609-5069
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Joseph Matera
District Secretary:
Paula Cirnigliaro

Rep. Michael Scionti
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....97&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1302 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 102
4221 North Himes Avenue
Tampa, FL 33607-6228
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
John Rodriguez
District Secretary:
Rebekah Torres

Rep. Anthony Trey Traviesa
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....56&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
214 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
Suite 105
410 S. Ware Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33619-4439
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
None
District Secretary:
Ruth Beckman

Rep. Will W. Weatherford
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/R....99&SessionId=57
Capitol Office:
1101 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: [phone]
District Office:
28963 State Road 54
Suite A
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Phone: [phone]
Legislative Assistant:
Ash Mason
District Secretary:
Robin Ringeisen

I may have missed a few. To find your local rep use this link.
www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/Representatives/representatives.aspx

[pascosal]

the pensacola bay bridge fishing pier was one span and there was a turnaround at the end, there were no real problems with accidents however it did get pretty cramped there

maps.live.com/?q=pensacola+&FORM=MSNH&mkt=en-US

the bridge to the left, switch to arial then zoom in on the bridge then go to birds eye. the pier is under construction from the destruction from ivan

[madbeachjim]

Skyjay, you and I are probably among the few who remember that old Jim Stafford song. I have it on a "favorites" CD I burned 8-10 years ago. Jim

[BigDawg71]

I emailed several of the representatives on that page, we will see if any of them bother to respond.

[BigDawg71]

received one response so far...


Thank you for writing and expressing your opinion, feelings and concerns regarding the closing of a portion of the Skyway Fishing Piers. Your comments are appreciated and Representative Heller will take them under advisement. Feedback from constituents is invaluable to the Representative as he works with other members of the Florida Legislature. He appreciates being kept informed.

He also regrets that you and your family are being displaced from this area of enjoyment. The Skyway Bridge has truly been a wonderful and historical landmark. It is regretable that this decision must even be entertained.

Thank you for making the time to take an active voice. Representative Heller appreciates your contacting his office and giving your opinion on this issue.

Regards,
Jimmie Day, Senior District Assistant to Representative Bill Heller District 52 -----Original

[eaglesfanguy]

Anyone else smell smoke??

And azz???

Think some rep is blowing some

But anyway lets bug the heck out of emm

[Tommy]

BigDawg and bigwman, I think we have ratteled a cage over at capmel's with the inspector. Just relpied to what he said, balls in his court now.

I also spoke with Rep. Debbie Boyd, House District 11 this morning and she was quite inquisitive about the where abouts of the funds taken for the repiar. She had spoken with the DEPA and was told there were no funds for the repair and or demolition of the east pier. This confuzed her as she know's how long the pier has been opened and that the funds gathered were supposed to go for that. In her words(wish I had recorded it) the funds were paid by the citizens of the state in good faith that they were going to be used for maintance and repair and to be told that the funds were not available was disturbing and an investigation shoud be fourth coming.

Keep ratteling them cages brother fishermen and women, we've got their attention.

[captbob]

Added petition link to my site www.cheapseafishing.com Goodluck to you all of you who have made the piers part of your lives.

[havetofish]

On it...in case you don't have Debbies Boyds e-mail..

www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4371&SessionId=57

[BigDawg71]

hmm, didn't get to her yet. Here are the ones I contacted yesterday:
Janet Long
Rick Kriseman
Ed Hooper
Bill Heller
James C. Frishe
Thomas Anderson
Peter Nehr
Charlie Crist

I did not get a chance to send any today, had to work through my lunch. I will try to contact a few more later this evening. I realize that there isn't much we can do about the east spans now since they waited so long to bring it to our attention, but hopefully we can keep the same from happening to the remaining parts of the pier.