Date:
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Contact:
Claudia Cornish, Tacoma Narrows Bridge Communications Manager, (253) 534-4646
GIG HARBOR – Weather permitting, the 46th and final section for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge deck will be lifted off the cargo ship, "SWAN" tomorrow afternoon.
Known as ‘Deck Section #10,’ the section will be hung from lifting gantry beams in the west side span until crews are ready to place it into its final position. This maneuver will allow Tacoma Narrows Constructors (TNC) to release the SWAN from the project. The SWAN’s departure from the Narrows is currently scheduled for Friday, January 26.
Though all of the deck sections will soon be hanging from the new bridge structure, work to attach all deck sections together will be another feat. The final deck sections to complete the bridge deck are called "closure sections" and are located on either side of the two bridge towers.
Crews will use a unique winching process to pull already-erected side span deck sections toward their respective shores to make extra room to maneuver the final four deck sections into place. The winches will create between 2½ and six extra feet of open space for the final positioning. Weather permitting, the final deck connection will occur in early February. Meantime, all four closure deck sections will hang at various heights from bridge and gantry suspender cables.
For more information about the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project, visit www.tacomanarrowsbridge.com <http://www.tacomanarrowsbridge.com/>
Note to Editors: Media will be invited to join project staff on the new bridge deck as crews connect the final deck section to the bridge deck in early February. A media advisory will be sent a few days prior to the event with specific information.
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