Storms bedevil Skyway schedule

Work set to begin Tuesday night now has been rescheduled for Thursday night, as long as weather cooperates.

Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 28, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Thunderstorms are playing havoc with the schedule to replace expansion joints on the Sunshine Skyway bridge.

The closure of both southbound lanes, which had been scheduled to begin Tuesday night, is now scheduled for Thursday night, weather permitting. Florida Department of Transportation officials are giving themselves extra time to be sure that a weather front is clear of the region. [Click here for a map of alternate routes]

The joint replacement in the Skyway's southbound lanes is expected to begin at 9 p.m. Thursday, with both lanes closed at least until 5 a.m. Friday.

DOT officials say there is a possibility that the work will extend beyond 5 a.m., requiring that the southbound lanes remain closed into the morning rush hour. That's what happened last week when the first of the four worn-out joints was replaced.

Officials urge motorists who usually use the Skyway to find a route around it.

During the double lane closure, delays of two hours or more are possible in both directions, since northbound and southbound traffic have to take turns using the northbound lanes. When the southbound lane work is finished, single lane closures will begin in the northbound lanes to prepare for the final two joint replacements. Those actual replacements also will require double lane closures.

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