Tacoma Narrows Bridge - GPS Tracking

Disclaimer

The vehicle speed reported on this site is an estimated speed. The Washington State Patrol is traveling with the truck and clocking actual speeds.

Photos

Video

Watch the first expansion joint as it leaves the WSDOT maintence yard in Spokane.
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Where is the second expansion joint?
The rig arrived in Tacoma around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25th.

First Expansion joint
We have some great photos for you to put into perspective how big this load is. WSDOT crews took some great snapshots of the rig as it passed through.

Deck expansion joint
Both deck expansion joints are now at the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge site. A global positioning system (GPS) transponder, installed in the truck's cab, allows you to follow the progress of the deck expansion joint as it traverses across the state (see map above).

The WSDOT Web Team built this page using data from a GPS unit that uses satellite technology to pinpoint the location of the truck to within a few yards and updates every five minutes.

The truck hauling the joint is equivalent to the weight and the length of five semi trailers hooked together. The overall length is 200 feet and is comprised of 17 axles. It is 14 feet high and 16.2 feet wide. An average interstate lane is 14 feet wide making this an oversize load. Pilot cars will lead and follow the load for safety.

Each joint weighs 100 tons and measures 70-feet long by 15-feet wide. Once installed, the deck expansion joints will absorb up to 56 inches each of deck expansion on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge and contraction caused by thermal changes, wind forces, traffic movement or seismic motion.