Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers rebuilt and repaired, a move local leaders say could bring one of Tampa Bay’s most recognizable attractions back to full strength. Under the plan, the southern span on the Manatee County side will be rebuilt, while the northern pier in Pinellas County will get repairs, after inspections and storm damage left part of the south pier off limits to the public.
DeSantis announced the decision Thursday, and officials said the work is expected to extend the piers' lifespans by about 20 years, according to the Tampa Bay Times. State spokespeople framed the project as both a crucial safety fix and a needed economic boost for anglers and nearby businesses.
State funding and next steps
The Florida Department of Transportation has added a "Skyway Fishing Pier Modification — Phase II" project to its FY 2027–31 work program, listing $2.5 million for construction planning and early work, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. That line item signals the state is moving the overhaul into the pipeline, but engineers still have to finish design, permitting and procurement before any crews start work over the water. Local and state agencies will also need to coordinate how access, temporary closures and safety rules will play out once construction begins.
What led to the closure
About 0.6 miles of the south pier was closed in October after FDOT inspections identified structural deterioration and Florida State Parks restricted vehicle and pedestrian access, WUSF reported. The closure followed widespread storm damage from Hurricane Milton, when the Washington Post recorded peak wind gusts above 100 mph at the Skyway during the October storm. The north pier has remained open, but officials say the shut-down section could not be safely patched without a larger reconstruction effort.
Why it matters locally
Anglers, bait shops and charter operators have long relied on the Skyway pier as a major fishing and tourism magnet, and local leaders quickly welcomed the governor’s announcement while pressing for clearer timelines and access plans. The Tampa Bay Times noted community hopes that a rebuilt south span will restore deep-water fishing opportunities and revive foot traffic, even as FDOT’s work program shows that funding details and design still have to be finalized. Officials from the governor’s office and Florida State Parks did not immediately offer a detailed construction schedule when asked by reporters.
