The News Tribune / News / Projects / Narrows Bridge

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Project


Scenic Views (16 photos)
Construction (79 photos)
People (35 photos)
Reader Photos

From 2002 to 2007 a new suspension bridge was built parallel to the existing bridge, which was also upgraded and retrofitted. The project created a safer, less-congested SR 16 corridor linking the Peninsula to Tacoma and I-5.

Featured Articles

Dean J. Koepfler / The News Tribune
Ballet on the Narrows - In the world of suspension bridges, Dave Climie is an international superstar.
Published June 25th, 2006
Once upon a bridge - It’s show time. After nearly five years, $700 million and more than 3 million hours of labor, the new Tacoma Narrows bridge is finished.
Published July 13th, 2007

Men among giants - Narrows bridge project dominant force, even at world's third-largest shipyard.
Published March 27th, 2006

Spinning into history - Bridge's main suspension cables begin to weave way across Narrows.
Published October 16th, 2005

A bridge with stuff to strut - Building the tower struts for the new Tacoma Narrows bridge would be a challenge, even if workers had the luxury of putting them together on the ground.
Published March 6th, 2005

Pillars of strength - The towers of the new Tacoma Narrows bridge must stand tall under immense, complex stress.
Published August 1st, 2004

Home-sourced with pride - Giant steel 'saddles' will go from Center Street in Tacoma to atop the new Narrows bridge.
Published May 23rd, 2004

Putting down roots - Twin anchorages, at 90 million pounds each, actually rely on finesse, technique.
Published October 12th, 2003

A dream team - In the rarefied world of bridge building, the experts assembled for the Tacoma Narrows project are superstars, at the top of their game.
Published February 23rd, 2003

Audio Interviews

Last man off the first Narrows Bridge

Audio Interview: A former photographer for the Tacoma News Tribune, Howard Clifford was the last man off the first Narrows Bridge before it collapsed in 1940. Now 94, Clifford recounts that fateful day. April 7, 2006
 Building the first bridge

Audio Interview: News Tribune photographer Dean Koepfler talks with retired ironworker Earl White about his experience with the construction of the extisting Narrows Bridge. June 25, 2006
 TNT staff discuss the project

Audio Interview: News Tribune reporter Rob Carson and photographer Dean Koepfler sat down with online editor Mark Briggs to discuss the progress of the project. March 26, 2006