Gandy Bridge, Vehicular bridge in Tampa Bay, United States

Gandy Bridge is a vehicular bridge over Old Tampa Bay linking St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida, about three miles long. Two parallel spans carry US 92 traffic, the 1975 span eastbound and the 1996 span westbound; the westbound deck sits nine feet higher and rises in a more gradual hump. The low, flat decks rest on evenly spaced dark piers, with no towers, cables or arches.

The first bridge at this location opened in 1924 and reduced travel time between the two coastal cities from several hours to just minutes. Later expansions and replacement structures introduced new roadways and technical solutions to meet growing traffic and safety requirements.

The bridge is named for George S. Gandy Sr., who bought out partner H. Walter Fuller's interests and sold stock to finance the $1.932 million crossing, opened on November 20, 1924. Sixteen visiting state governors and several foreign dignitaries attended the ceremony, where Gandy declared, "The bridge is built!"

The Gandy Bridge carries US 92 vehicle traffic on its 1975 eastbound and 1996 westbound spans; there is no pedestrian path on the current crossing. The 1956 span that held the Friendship Trail was closed in 2008 and demolished by 2016. Drivers cross between St. Petersburg and Tampa in a few minutes, with the westbound span sitting nine feet higher than its older neighbour.

The 1956 span became the Friendship Trail Bridge for walkers and cyclists in 1997, but a 2008 inspection found severe corrosion and it closed; demolition ran from September 2015 to July 2016. In June 2021 FDOT announced a study for a fifth span to replace the 1975 crossing, with a trail component restoring the lost link.