Skyway Bridge Reopens To Traffic

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Update July 31 2:26 p.m.: The Florida Highway Patrol says the Skyway Bridge reopened to traffic as of 2:20 p.m. Monday. The bridge closed as winds reached 60 mph courtesy of Tropical Storm Emily's pass through the area.

Earlier: As Tropical Storm Emily heads toward the mouth of Tampa Bay, the Florida Highway Patrol has announced the Skyway Bridge has been closed down in both directions.

Winds on the bridge have been clocked “in excess of 60 mph,” Sgt. Steve Gaskins wrote in an 11:03 a.m. July 31 email.

It is unclear how long the closing might last. Tropical Storm Emily is expected to make landfall in the region sometime in the afternoon. As of the National Hurricane Center’s last report, the storm was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 45 mph.

• See also: Tropical Storm Emily 'Approaching Mouth Of Tampa Bay'

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Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol