Date:
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Contact:
Claudia Cornish, Tacoma Narrows Bridge Communications Manager, (253) 534-4646
GIG HARBOR
– Washington State Department of Transportation staff working on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Project would like to ask motorists and bridge buffs to help keep traffic moving over the next five months that deck-lifting activities are under way.
Since the first deck section was lifted into place on August 7, traffic delays and increased congestion have become more frequent on State Route 16 as motorists have slowed down to watch construction progress.
In response to the longer delays, WSDOT activated highway-advisory-radio broadcasts and highway signs encouraging motorists to maintain their speeds across the bridge. Those actions have resulted in some success, but WSDOT is still hearing from frustrated motorists about their increased travel times.
WSDOT is also asking bridge buffs to avoid using the existing bridge sidewalks as a vantage point from which to watch construction. Even a few pedestrians stopping on the bridge to watch the work taking place causes a noticeable slowdown on the bridge. Safety of the traveling public, whether they be motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists, is a high priority, and motorist distractions could cause unfortunate results.
WSDOT encourages all those interested in watching bridge deck progress to visit Narrows Park, the "official bridge viewing site." Directions to Narrows Park can be found at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/misc/newpark/.
Camera views of project and deck construction can also be found at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/webcams/.
The camera focal points were recently changed to highlight deck activities.
For more information on the new bridge, visit www.tacomanarrowsbridge.com.
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