The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Funsite Bridges Assorted Images
Tacoma Narrows Bridges Assorted Photos
These photos are private property, and may not be copied nor duplicated in any form or part without expressed written permission.
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This unique copyrighted photo shows all three of the Tacoma Narrows bridges; the 1940 Gertie bridge on the left, the 1950 bridge in the center, and the 2007 bridge on the right. This was created by myself to appear as if they are all connected, almost like a journey thru time. Of course it would be impossible to travel on this bridge across time, as there are eight lanes between the two bridges on the right end, and only two lanes on the original single bridge on the left end.
The shot above is a panoramic photo of the twin 1950 and 2007 Narrows bridges, taken by the author in 2010. To see the full-size of the photo above, just Click on the Photo.
The shot above is a panoramic photo of the twin 1950 and 2007 Tacoma Narrows bridges, taken by the author in 2009 from the Gig Harbor shore. To see the full-size of the photo above, just Click on the Photo.
Here is an unusual sight, a Blimp was apparently touring the area, and happened to travel over the bridges. The 2007 bridge was still under construction, as this photo was taken in July of 2005.
A closer look at the Blimp over the bridges, they must have had a great view. Note the bridge construction was at a point before there were any cables yet. Only the Towers were built at that time.
History repeats itself, as seen in this August 2007 photo of the Goodyear Blimp over the Narrows Bridges. This look is after the new bridge was completed.
A closer look at the Goodyear Blimp as it travels past the bridges.
Seen above is a new advertising blimp for a popular restaurant, as it approaches the bridges in 2008.
Here is an acrobatic plane, the Oracle Challenger II with pilot Sean Tucker, doing stunt flying above the bridges.
This image is not what it appears to be. An airplane was captured by the camera lens just as it passed the new bridge, with no intention of flying into it. The new and old bridges are always a favorite with pilots showing off the area to their passengers.
The 4th of July celebration brought some old-time airplanes to the area for an air show. The plane in the photo above is making a swing around the bridges for another pass over Commencement Bay.
An afternoon security fly-by is seen here, as helicopters make a 2009 pass by the Twin bridges.
A closer look at the copters over the bridges.
The Gig Harbor shore has a lot of debris, some from people dumping their left-overs to avoid disposal fees at the landfill, some is remains of the 1940 bridge such as this.
Near the Gig Harbor downtown area is a small "park", which actually consists of an area on the side of the road that has trees, a few benches, and this relic from Galloping Gertie. It is the only known surviving light pole that was saved from the 1940 bridge. The base has memorial plaques, and it is of interest that the light fixture at the end of the pole, the shade and lamp socket assembly is not the original. It was most likely damaged, so a suitable replacement was put on the original pole.
The commemorative plaque at the base of the 1940 light pole.
The Tacoma History Museum enlisted the assistance of the 2007 bridge workers (Tacoma Narrows Constructors) to obtain a large section of the 1940 bridge roadway for their Narrows Bridges exhibit. Here the workers are preparing the section for excavation, as this spot next to the tree had been it's resting place for over 65 years.
It took a lot of heave-ho for these strong men to move the section. They used pry bars, plywood, a dolly, and muscle-power.
The section of Gertie's roadway is finally moved underneath the crane, which was situated on the 2007 bridge. A part of the crane failed on the first attempt to raise the heavy concrete, so the crew waited until the crane was repaired, and then the second attempt was successful.
The section was finally lifted to the 2007 bridge, where it was placed on a truck and moved to the downtown History Museum.
Here is the section on exhibit at the Tacoma History Museum.
Here is a peaceful look at both bridges in early 2007. The Narrows water is calm, and it provides a very nice reflection.
A rarely seen part of the 1940 bridge, this section of curbing from the roadway lies on the Tacoma shore. But it is normally quite a ways under the water, this photo from 2007 was taken at an unusual low tide.
The photo above and the 3 images below were taken at an extreme low tide that measured a minus 4.1 feet on July 3, 2008. This occurance revealed a better look at the approximately 9 feet of Galloping Gertie curbing that dropped from the bridge during the demolition in the early 1940's. Not shown here, but made note of as further verification that this is indeed Gertie remains are the drainage slots thru the curbing, which are shown on the original blueprints for the road deck.
An exciting discovery was made due to this 2008 low tide; several sections of Gertie's road deck itself, which is located at a lower spot than the curbing shown above. This area is normally quite deep in the water, and due to the nature of the Tacoma Narrows water- it is usually hard to see.
One can just imagine looking at this photo the original placement of the roadway on the bridge, where these sections of rebar reinforced concrete once stood, with cars and people traveling across their surface. It was a great thrill to walk on them myself, especially knowing that nobody had walked on these sections in at least 66 years!
A last look at Galloping Gertie's road deck before the tide returned to normal, and buried them for another season. This area is the only place where these parts of Gertie's actual road can be found above the bottom of the Narrows waterway. A truely astounding feeling, if you ever find an opportunity to experience this place yourself!
The photo above is a present-day reminder to all who travel across the Narrows bridges that the winds of November 1940 still hit fast & hard at times, and drivers need to be aware of these winds. Any trucker, or Rv'er can tell you; if you have a big vehicle to watch for those winds because they can push even the smallest of cars around like a leaf on a tree.
Here is another seldon-seen sight, from under the 2007 bridge on the Tacoma side. The large pipe is carrying run-off water into the Narrows from the hillside below & by the 2007 bridge, which is seen above. Hanging from the bridge is one of the travelling platforms that work is done from. The platforms run along on wheels which rest on the lower edge of the girders. They are really handy for construction, and maintenance.
The winter of 2008 made for a neat snow scene of the twin bridges. Although the heavy snows made for some difficult driving, it was pretty to look at.
As a beautiful contrast of seasons, this view was taken in the fall of 2009, from the shoreline at Narrows Park in Gig Harbor.
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