Sunshine Skyway Bridge Reopens After Tropical Storm Nicole: FHP

FLORIDA — The Sunshine Skyway Bridge reopened Thursday around 4 p.m. after closing to all traffic because of high winds from Tropical Storm Nicole earlier in the day, according to a travel advisory from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Winds hit 50 miles per hour on the bridge as the storm hit the area, shutting it down, the agency said in its initial advisory, which was sent Thursday around 7:20 a.m.

The four-lane cable-stayed concrete bridge with northbound and southbound lanes is part of I-275 and U.S. Highway 19. It connects Pinellas and Manatee counties.

The bridge closes when there are maximum sustained winds of 40 mph or higher.