Sunshine Skyway Bridge goes fully cashless

Toll rates to remain unchanged as Florida DOT transitions to electronic-only payments.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:33am

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a large suspension bridge rendered as sweeping streaks of color, conveying the dynamism and engineering of modern transportation infrastructure.The Sunshine Skyway Bridge's transition to cashless tolling aims to improve traffic flow and safety by allowing drivers to maintain a steady pace without stopping to pay.Today in Tampa

The Florida Department of Transportation is converting the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay to a fully cashless tolling system starting April 12. Drivers will be required to use electronic transponders like SunPass or face toll-by-plate billing, eliminating the need for cash or coin payments at the bridge.

Why it matters

The cashless transition aims to improve traffic flow and safety by allowing drivers to maintain a steady pace without having to stop and pay tolls. It also aligns with broader trends toward electronic payments and modernization of transportation infrastructure.

The details

The current toll for a two-axle vehicle crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is $1.75, the same rate that has been in place since the bridge opened in 1954. Under the new cashless system, drivers with electronic transponders will pay around $1.16 per crossing, a 25% discount compared to toll-by-plate billing for vehicles without a transponder.

  • The Sunshine Skyway Bridge will transition to cashless tolling on April 12, 2026.
  • The original two-lane Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened in September 1954.
  • The current four-lane Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge was dedicated in 1987, replacing a previous span that collapsed in 1980.

The players

Florida Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for managing and maintaining the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, including the recent transition to cashless tolling.

SunPass

An electronic toll collection system owned by the Florida Department of Transportation that allows drivers to pay bridge tolls without stopping.

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What’s next

The Florida Department of Transportation will monitor the transition to cashless tolling on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and may consider expanding the system to other state-operated bridges and highways in the future.

The takeaway

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge's shift to an all-electronic tolling system reflects broader trends toward modernizing transportation infrastructure and reducing reliance on cash payments. This change aims to improve traffic flow and safety, while also providing a discounted rate for drivers using electronic transponders.