Friendship Trail shut down

Urban walkers just lost access to one of the longest waterfront trails in Florida – the Friendship Trail, atop the old Gandy Bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg on Tampa Bay – because serious structural deficiencies were found in the bridge. The bridge hasn’t had vehicular traffic in years but is a popular destination for walkers, bicyclists, and in-line skaters, but the problems with the structure are severe enough that the bridge was shut down as a public safety measure. There’s always Bayfront Drive, but it’s not quite the same as walking OVER Tampa Bay.  Here’s the details from ABC News.