Old Sunshine Skyway Piers to Become Artificial Reefs

The St. Petersburg Times reported the old fishing piers at the Sunshine Skyway are going to be made into artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

The piers, built in 1954, had been declared as unusable since 2008, reported the St. Petersburg Times.

The pier debris will distributed among various existing artificial reefs in the gulf, according to the Times. Pinellas county has 10 artificial reefs in place in the Gulf where the concrete could be used.

While the demolition of the old piers is occurring, visitors to the Sunshine Skyway piers can continue to fish, but are warned to stay at least 100 feet away from the work areas, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

The St. Petersburg Times reported that the project is expected to cost $2.2 million.