Tacoma: New Second Bridge Photos

WonderlandPark · #1 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 7:44 PM**

I love big projects like this, especially when you can get close. There is pedestrian access to the existing span, suprisingly, but the cars are right there next to you, just a metal pipe away. But it makes for a great photo spot.

Both spans are 2800 feet long, in the top 5 of longest suspension bridges in the US.

The entire collection is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1567548...7594505552662/

dougtheengineer · #2 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 7:45 PM**

Nice stuff, thanks for sharing.

pwright1 · #3 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 8:05 PM**

Wow these are some cool pics and you are VERY close. I have to get down there and check it all out.

phillyskyline · #4 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 8:07 PM**

Why are they building the 2nd bridge? Nice pics.

WonderlandPark · #5 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 8:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyskyline

Why are they building the 2nd bridge? Nice pics.

I should actually say, THIRD bridge, because the very first one was the suspension bridge that famously swayed in the wind before collapsing. The "real" 2nd bridge is from 1950 and is now way over capacity as Tacoma and the Puget Sound expand in population. The straits have been jumped by sprawl, so a second span was authorized and will be paid for in tolls.

seattlefoo1 · #6 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 8:32 PM**

Does anybody know if the are going to paint the new bridge? In my opinion, it would look better if both bridges were the same color.

Urbanguy · #7 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 8:52 PM**

Awesome thanks for the update of San Francisco junior!

moosanova · #8 Posted **Jan 31, 2007, 9:18 PM**

As far as painting the new bridge, that would be a NO...... first off the towers on the new bridge are concrete and would have to be painted every 4-5 years as opposed to the old bridge which gets a new coat about every 25-30 years....... i know the cables on the new bridge will be wrapped and painted, but not sure of the color....... and as a side note: the new bridge will be lit up at night for better visibility from afar as well as for aerial traffic too.

i have heard from several people that are working on the bridege that there is a plan in place to light the bridge in different color variations for certain holidays......

I.E red, white and blue...... independence day
red and green...... X-mas
all colors........ for new years

and even possibly..... the colors of the olympic rings for the 2010 games in vancouver......

but like i said, this is just a plan that is possibly in the works..... but aside from that.... the bridge will be awash in light at night when completed.....