HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Sturdy Gertie

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: August 19, 2014

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
WA-16 Westbound Over Tacoma Narrows
Location
Tacoma: Pierce County, Washington: United States
Structure Type
Metal Deck Truss Stiffening Warren Wire Cable Suspension, Fixed and Approach Spans: Concrete T-Beam, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1950 By Builder/Contractor: Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Company and Engineer/Design: Charles E. Andrew and Dexter R. Smith
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
2,800.0 Feet (853.4 Meters)
Structure Length
5,978.0 Feet (1822.1 Meters)
Roadway Width
46.3 Feet (14.11 Meters)
Spans
3 Main Span(s) and 10 Approach Span(s)
Inventory Number
3418A

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

View Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Documentation For This Bridge

View Historic Structure Reports For This Bridge

HAER Drawings, PDF - HAER Data Pages, PDF

About This Bridge and Its Infamous Predecessor

There are two bridges at Tacoma Narrows today. One is this historic 1950 suspension bridge and the other is a non-historic modern suspension bridge built in 2007, which formed a one-way couplet with the historic bridge serving westbound traffic.

Both of the Tacoma Narrows Bridges are ironically well-known nationwide not so much because of their own merits, but moreso because of the infamous bridge that the 1950 bridge replaced: the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge (nicknamed Galloping Gertie) which opened July 1, 1940 and collapsed a few months later on November 7th due to insufficient stiffening that caused moderate 40mph winds to tear the bridge apart.

The 1940 bridge represented an interesting period in the history of suspension bridge design. Engineers during this period had theorized that suspension bridges did not need the heavy stiffening that had traditionally been used. Therefore, the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge (and some other bridges elsewhere in the country during this time) were constructed with very shallow stiffening girders. This theory was quickly found to be a bad one, as winds made these bridges including the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge extremely susceptible to oscillations caused by high winds. Some bridges like the 1939 Deer Isle Bridge had problems, but were able to be corrected through alterations. The 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge was not so lucky. Its stiffening was so shallow that even light winds caused the deck to sway and oscillate which gave it the nickname Galloping Gertie. Before it could be strengthened, the bridge collapsed in a 40mph wind only a few months after it opened. Its collapse, which was captured on video, is famous among bridge historians and engineers who have studied the collapse of the bridge to learn how wind affects suspension bridges.

After the collapse, the replacement 1950 bridge was designed with a heavier and more traditional heavy Warren deck truss stiffening. The 1950 bridge has provided safe and reliable service as a result. Noted engineer Charles E. Andrew was involved in the design of the 1950 bridge.

Note: Historical photos on this page which reference the Tacoma Public Library are from the library's digital archive, and specifically the "Richards Studio Collection Series: TPL." Its an impressive collection and although quite a few photos appear on this page, the actual collection is massive and extensively documents the 1940 and 1950 Tacoma Narrows Bridges. Type "Tacoma Narrows Bridge" into their search to view the full collection.

The above photos show  the construction of the 1950 bridge, the first one showing the bridge with only the towers erected and the second one showing the deck construction.

The above photos show the 1950 bridge after it was completed.

Selected Historical Photos of the 1940 Galloping Gertie Bridge

The above photo shows the 1940 bridge being built. In this photo, cable spinning is in progress.

In the above photo, spools of cable used to build the bridge are visible in the foreground to the left.

The above construction photos show the 1940 bridge with just the towers and main cables in place.

The above photos show some of the workers who erected the bridge.

 

The above photo shows the bridge in its final moments before collapse. The twisting of the deck is so severe its amazing it was still in one piece at this point... and in fact a few moments later it was no longer in one piece!

The above photo shows an overall view of the bridge after it collapsed.

The above photos show the bridge after it collapsed. These photos show the pieces of deck and girder hanging from the center span.

The above photo is from the top of the tower looking down on the collapsed center span.

The above photos show the bridge after it collapsed. These photos show one of the end suspended spans, which although in one piece, is severely sagging.

 

The above photo is particularly interesting. It is after the collapse, and taken from the water level looking up at the tower, and from this angle it can be seen the significant degree to which the collapse caused the tower to bend to the right in the photo.

The above photo after collapse shows a section of the bridge which did not collapse but was severely damaged.

The above photos after collapse show the severe fraying of the main cable near the anchorage.

The above photo shows the bridge after collapsed. The deck and girder has been removed at this point. What appears to be loose cables tangled up all over the main cables are may be a combination of demolition work and damage caused by the collapse.

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Tacoma Narrows Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Video

First Bridge Construction and Collapse

Full Motion Video
This silent historical video has footage showing the construction, opening, and collapse of the first bridge. Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

Divider

View Video

First Bridge Collapse

Full Motion Video
This video with sound shows the collapse of the bridge. Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

Divider

Maps and Links: Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

Android: Open Location In Your Map or GPS App

Flickr Gallery (Find Nearby Photos)

Wikimedia Commons (Find Nearby Photos)

Directions Via Sygic For Android

Directions Via Sygic For iOS and Android Dolphin Browser

USGS National Map (United States Only)

Historical USGS Topo Maps (United States Only)

Historic Aerials (United States Only)

CalTopo Maps (United States Only)


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© Copyright 2003-2024, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners and users of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information.

Admin Login

Divider