Tacoma Narrows Bridge: A Mind-Boggling True Story

Growing up, my grandparents lived in Port Orchard WA, and Gig Harbor WA. Both places to visit, coming from my hometown, Brewster WA, we would have to use the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

I remember as a little girl, the Bridge seemed so much bigger than life, I have always been in awe as you cross the Straight of the Puget Sound.

What's the "Mind-Boggling" story though?!

Honestly, it's quite sad, yet remarkably true!

Your eyes don't need to adjust, that is a "wave" in the structure.

On Thursday, November 7th, 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed. 

With the build of the bridge, only finished 5 months prior to the collapse. July 1st, 1940, being the opening day.

Earning the knick-name "Galloping Gertie," the Tacoma Narrows bridge even swayed during windy days of construction.

You may be asking, "Why?! How?! Were people on the bridge when it happened?!

Why/How:

""cumulative effected of undampened rhythmic forces" had produced "intense resonant oscillation." In other words, the bridge's lightness, combined with an accumulation of wind pressure on the 8-foot solid plate girder and deck, caused the bridge to fail." - Tacoma Narrows Bridge history - Bridge - Lessons from failure (wa.gov)

 

Casualties:

"There were no human deaths in the collapse of the bridge." - Tacoma Narrows Bridge - Wikipedia

With a sister suspension bridge built next to the original (fixed), Tacoma Narrows handles about 90,000 vehicles daily! (source) 

"The current bridge is the 5th longest suspension bridge in the United States. Located on State Route 16 between Tacoma and Gig Harbor, the bridge is 5,979 feet in length. That's 40 feet longer than its predecessor, Galloping Gertie." - Tacoma Narrows Bridge history (wa.gov)