Issue #254: Gandy Bridge Centennial, Tampa’s Top Private Dining, and Hillsborough Ave Truck Accident

11/26/2024

Author

Ted Grellner
26 Nov

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Dr Ted
USAF Retired

 
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In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar

Local News

— Gandy Bridge Turns 100: USF Preserves Its Legacy

Food

— Top Three Private Dining Spots in Tampa Bay for Your Next Celebrationl

OMG!

— Semi-Truck Trailer Falls Onto Hillsborough Avenue, Driver Injured

Sports

— Tampa Bay Rays Face Uncertain Future After Hurricane Milton


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Gandy Bridge Turns 100: USF Preserves

Its Legacy

The Gandy Bridge, celebrating its 100th year, was the first to connect Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, shaping the Tampa Bay community as we know it today.

USF’s Special Collections Library houses artifacts and documents about the bridge’s history, including records of George Gandy, the visionary behind the project.

Built in 1924 at a cost of $3 million, the 2.5-mile bridge drastically reduced travel time between Tampa and St. Petersburg, transforming a 50-mile, all-day journey into a 19-mile, 45-minute drive.

Historian Gary Mormino notes the bridge’s role in uniting the region, promoting development, and fostering accessibility. “The Gandy Bridge represented freedom,” said Evangeline Linkous, director of USF’s urban planning program, enabling people to live and work in different cities.

While the original bridge no longer stands, its legacy lives on in archives, museum exhibits, and Tampa Bay’s enduring connection.

Read More: usf.edu — must see photos

An astonishing and little-known fact about bridge building 100 years ago is the use of "diving bells" for underwater construction. Long before the development of modern scuba gear or sophisticated pressurized suits, workers building bridge foundations, particularly for large spans like the Brooklyn Bridge, had to work in pressurized underwater chambers called caissons.

These workers, known as "sandhogs," endured extreme conditions. Inside these caissons, they excavated mud and sand from riverbeds while enduring high air pressure to prevent water from entering. Unfortunately, they often suffered from "caisson disease" (decompression sickness) because they were unaware of the need to decompress slowly when returning to the surface.

What's even more surprising is that these risky methods were state-of-the-art at the time, and the bravery (or desperation) of these workers helped make iconic bridges possible, often at a great cost to their health. The Brooklyn Bridge alone claimed dozens of lives, including workers who fell victim to these dangerous conditions.

Top Three Private Dining Spots in Tampa Bay for Your Next Celebration

Looking for the perfect place to celebrate an engagement, birthday, or anniversary? Tampa Bay offers some fantastic private dining venues to make any occasion special.

1. Watervüe Grille
With a serene coastal view, Watervüe Grille offers a private dining room for up to 45 guests. The warm, intimate setting is ideal for family gatherings or unique events like murder mystery dinners.
700 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa | (813) 642-7980

2. Sunda New Asian
This award-winning restaurant combines modern Asian cuisine with customizable private dining for up to 34 seated guests. Unique add-ons like sushi workshops or sake tastings create memorable experiences.
3648 Midtown Drive, Tampa | (813) 497-2900

3. The Don CeSar
The Pink Palace’s Society Table offers private dining for up to 30 guests, while Maritana provides an upscale, intimate option with a Michelin-star-trained chef.
3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach | (727) 360-1881

Semi-Truck Trailer Falls Onto Hillsborough Avenue, Driver Injured

A lane on I-75 in Hillsborough County was blocked Monday after part of a semi-truck fell from an overpass onto Hillsborough Avenue, leaving one driver seriously injured.

Florida Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred around noon when a 31-year-old man driving a Conex trailer north on the ramp from I-75 to I-4 lost control. The left side of the semi struck a concrete wall, causing the trailer to overturn and tumble onto Hillsborough Avenue below.

The falling trailer struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 61-year-old woman traveling west. She sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The semi-truck driver was unharmed.

Traffic delays are ongoing as crews work to clear the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

Tampa Bay Rays Face Uncertain Future After Hurricane Milton

The future of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay is in jeopardy after Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof of Tropicana Field. The damage means the Rays won’t be able to use the stadium for the 2025 season, and plans for a new $1.3 billion retractable roof stadium in St. Petersburg are now uncertain.

Pinellas County officials recently delayed a key vote to issue bonds for the new stadium and declined to fund $55 million in repairs to the Trop for the 2026-2027 seasons. Without a long-term solution, the Rays are set to play temporarily at the Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa in 2025.

This upheaval has reignited speculation about the team’s relocation, with cities like Nashville, Charlotte, and Raleigh emerging as possible options. Rays owner Stu Sternberg called the situation “less certain than ever,” leaving fans and the league bracing for what’s next.

 
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