State to rebuild Sunshine Skyway fishing pier, improve access and phased demolition planned

Governor DeSantis announced that the state will construct a new fishing pier adjacent to the damaged Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier on the Manatee County side and will improve the existing structure on the Pinellas County side to extend its life for another 20 years. He said portions of the old, damaged pier will be removed and that work will begin later this spring with demolition and permitting steps finalized before construction on the Manatee side begins. (SEG 325–346)

"Today I'm happy to announce that we will be constructing a new pier adjacent to where the pier currently stands on the Manatee County side and then improving the existing pier on the Pinellas County side to extend its lifetime for another 20 years," DeSantis said, describing phased demolition and improvements to parking, sidewalks and fishing access during construction. (SEG 325–341)

DeSantis said crews will begin demolition of unused portions of the old structure on the Pinellas side later this spring and will also finalize permitting and begin demolition of the existing pier on the Manatee side, with the aim of completing the project expeditiously so the public can again use the attraction. (SEG 342–349)

What happens next: the governor said work begins with parking enhancements and sidewalk construction, with demolition to follow in phases. The transcript does not provide contract awards, funding amounts, contractor names, or an exact completion date.