Tacoma Narrows Bridge — Attraction in University Place

The Narrows Bridge is the replacement for a bridge called "Galloping Gertie", which fell down not long after being built, becoming a very expensive artificial reef and octopus habitat, some of the world's most dangerous SCUBA diving. This replacement was quickly constructed in the narrow span between the tip of Tacoma and the Olympic Peninsula. The press office quickly dubbed it "Sturdy Gertie" in the hope people would lose their fear of driving over it. At the time it was one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

As often happens when you build a bridge, people did drive across it, built homes and developed communities, and this bridge was soon overwhelmed with traffic. At one point just the bridge backup added an hour to the daily commute before they added a second parallel bridge. This one now goes Northbound only.

For pedestrian access park at Narrows Park and Ride, and take the path through War Memorial park. You can then walk the sidewalk that is safely separated from the traffic with a Jersey barrier. It's half a mile to the summit of the bridge. It seems always windy there, and even on a warm summer day at least a windbreaker is advised. The views are stunning, and the trip a worthwhile adventure with the kids.

Access is free and uncontrolled. No bathrooms past War Memorial park, no food or drink available so bring your own. Take only photos, leave only...

Built much better than the original! This bridge holds a special notoriety among anyone who studied advanced physics or vibrations, mostly because the original bridge was built without accounting for harmonic resonance and waved wildly in the wind…collapsing into pieces on November 7, 1940 after it ‘matched’ the harmonic resonance of the strong wind (you can recreate this phenomenon by humming next to a guitar string and the string will vibrate to match your humming…bear in mind the bridge was not as flexible as the guitar string and was not built to make rock n’ roll….so it burst into pieces)

Well, the new bridge does not disappoint. It’s sturdy, steady, and ain’t budgin’ a inch…like an old state employee at the local DMV. I walked from one end of the bridge to the other and back again, taking in a great view of The Puget Sound - Tacoma on one side and beaches at the foot of forested suburbs on the other. It’s a nice walk for some exercise and also to visit a piece of history in what was once the most pathetic and ridiculous engineering mistake ever made on public infrastructure in...

Crossed it not knowing there is a toll, since I'm from the other side of the state. They sent the bill to the wrong address, even tho my address at the DOL is right, based on my registration and driver licence. Now I have to pay $50 something because they put me on civil penalty for not paying, although it wasn't my fault that I didn't know since they didn't send the notice to the right address. To dispute, I have to drive across the state or dispute by mail, which I have to choose why and them sending my notice to the wrong address is not on the option.

For comparison, I passed golden gate toll, they send it to the right address, I called and they said it is $38-ish, but they will waive it so I only have to pay the original $7. And the guy was being nice about it, I didn't even ask him to waive...