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The New Tacoma Narrows bridge opened on Sunday July 15th to celebrate the 5 year long construction of the second suspension bridge.
Local News | Thousands turn out to cross new bridge on foot | Seattle Times Newspaper
ALONG THE NEW TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE — Foot traffic filled the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge today as some 50,000 people crossed the one-mile bridge under a pleasant cloudy sky.
The bridge opens for eastbound car traffic early Monday at a cost of $3 per round trip or $1.75 for people who bought an electronic transponder. The existing bridge will carry westbound traffic to Gig Harbor.
The day started with a 5-kilometer fun run attracting more than 10,000 participants. The crowds got so thick that Pierce Transit had to halt its shuttle buses temporarily from Tacoma Community College to the bridge. Under the weight of so many people, the bridge oscillated slightly, similar to the vibration a pedestrian might feel when a semi truck passes by.
Foot traffic, which will be allowed until around 4 p.m., is separated into east and westbound lanes so that it keeps moving. "We've got exactly the perfect thing — a river of pedestrians walking back and forth," Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald said as he walked midspan.
Gov. Christine Gregoire led a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony shortly after 2 p.m.
The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge is the longest suspension bridge built in the U.S. since 1964; a partially suspended bridge is being built between San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. Construction of the $849 million Tacoma bridge began in late 2002. The project also includes seismic improvements to the existing 1950 bridge.
The crowd along the new bridge Sunday morning was relaxed, enjoying the views and getting special bridge "passports" stamped at different points along the span.
Many participants in the fun run stopped mid-bridge to look down on the water and take pictures.
"It was really neat to have an unadulterated view of what you would see driving the bridge," said Jacob Snow of Bremerton. "Your heart's beating, you're breathing hard, you're having that runner's high, then you stop and focus on the serene view below."
Local News | Thousands turn out to cross new bridge on foot | Seattle Times Newspaper
ALONG THE NEW TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE — Foot traffic filled the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge today as some 50,000 people crossed the one-mile bridge under a pleasant cloudy sky.
The bridge opens for eastbound car traffic early Monday at a cost of $3 per round trip or $1.75 for people who bought an electronic transponder. The existing bridge will carry westbound traffic to Gig Harbor.
The day started with a 5-kilometer fun run attracting more than 10,000 participants. The crowds got so thick that Pierce Transit had to halt its shuttle buses temporarily from Tacoma Community College to the bridge. Under the weight of so many people, the bridge oscillated slightly, similar to the vibration a pedestrian might feel when a semi truck passes by.
Foot traffic, which will be allowed until around 4 p.m., is separated into east and westbound lanes so that it keeps moving. "We've got exactly the perfect thing — a river of pedestrians walking back and forth," Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald said as he walked midspan.
Gov. Christine Gregoire led a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony shortly after 2 p.m.
The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge is the longest suspension bridge built in the U.S. since 1964; a partially suspended bridge is being built between San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. Construction of the $849 million Tacoma bridge began in late 2002. The project also includes seismic improvements to the existing 1950 bridge.
The crowd along the new bridge Sunday morning was relaxed, enjoying the views and getting special bridge "passports" stamped at different points along the span.
Many participants in the fun run stopped mid-bridge to look down on the water and take pictures.
"It was really neat to have an unadulterated view of what you would see driving the bridge," said Jacob Snow of Bremerton. "Your heart's beating, you're breathing hard, you're having that runner's high, then you stop and focus on the serene view below."
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I did holler but I don't think you saw me on skyscraperpage. lol. I come to the skyscrapercity.com often, though.
