New Tacoma Narrows Bridge Open, Tolling Begins

July 16, 2007--The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, built by a joint venture of Bechtel and Kiewit Pacific, opened to motorists on July 16. The previous day, 60,000 people walked or ran across the deck to celebrate the opening. For information:

• Washington State Department of Transportation news release.
• Opening day pictures.
• Background on the bridge project.
• Coverage of the public celebration by the Tacoma News-Tribune. The reporter’s verdict: “The efficiency of the event echoed the five-year construction project itself, which ended under budget and was remarkably trouble-free.”
• Bechtel's role in the project.