Narrows Bridge - Gig Harbor to Tacoma

"Galloping Gertie" - 1940

As a 7th grader in Southern California, I once saw an old film in our school library about a bridge that buckled, twisted and fell to pieces in the wind over the waters of the Puget Sound. Its nickname was, "Galloping Gertie." A second bridge was built to take its place, which stands today, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Little did I know at the time, that I'd soon be living in Gig Harbor, Washington, and using that bridge all the time!

We were in Washington State during a large portion of the construction of a second Narrows Bridge (that runs parallel to the other bridge)to accomodate the growing traffic flow between the Peninsula and Tacoma. We watched with fascination the process of this huge bridge being built. It was the largest construction project happening in the United States. It was a painful process for the community with gridlock, long-delays and constant changing of lane configurations. Today, the bridge is opening. We know lots of people who are attending the opening ceremonies. Although we're not there to see it, we can get a glimpse of it on live webcam!

(Click on the post title for link to the webcam.)