DeSantis says repairs to the Skyway Fishing Pier would extend its lifespan for another 20 years.
BRADENTON, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier is being rebuilt and repaired more than a year after it was damaged by Hurricane Milton.
During a news conference Thursday morning at Pier 22 in Bradenton, DeSantis said that construction would begin this spring on a new pier, adjacent to the current one on the Manatee County side of the Skyway, before the old one is demolished. He also announced improvements to the existing pier on the Pinellas County side of the bridge, with demolition of the unused portions.
The new construction includes enhancing the parking area, constructing wider sidewalks along the seawall and expanding fishing opportunities to keep recreational activities available during construction.
The governor says these repairs would extend the pier’s lifespan for another 20 years.
“This has been a major place for a lot of people,” DeSantis said. “I’m glad that we’re moving forward with that very quickly.”
DeSantis bill blocks proposed Manatee County cruise port
In addition to repairs to the Skyway Fishing Pier, DeSantis also formally signed two new pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Florida’s coast.
Senate Bill 302, also called the “Coastal Resiliency” bill, prevents the dredging or filling at certain parts of Florida’s coastline, which will also block a proposed cruise port in Manatee County that has drawn backlash throughout the community.
“There’s not really a need to add another port,” DeSantis said. “Tampa Bay is already home to three deep-water ports, including Sea Port Manatee.”
DeSantis also signed House Bill 1417, the “Department of Environmental Protection” bill, which he says streamlines environmental rulemaking by repealing the Environmental Regulation Commission and makes it faster to update rules to protect the state’s environment.
“I’m proud to sign these two bills here today,” he said.