The construction of a second bridge along the Tacoma Narrows began in October of 2002, and is designed to significantly increase traffic flow and reduce congestion for commuters. The project includes the addition of a 3.4-mile segment of SR 16, along with the new suspension bridge being built parallel to the existing Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which will span 5,400 feet.
Building the first long-span suspension bridge in the United States since 1964, the $800 million project is a public-private partnership between the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Tacoma Narrows Constructors (TNC).
TNC, a joint venture of Bechtel and Kiewit Pacific, is responsible for carrying out the bridge design and construction project. This fully integrated team of international and local suspension bridge specialists and experts is providing engineering management, procurement, and construction under a design-build, fixed-price, and lump-sum contract with WSDOT. Under the agreement, WSDOT will pay TNC a fixed price of $615 million through monthly payments tied to construction progress.
About $800 million of tax-exempt bond financing is required to support the proposed Tacoma Narrows Bridge project. The state has funded $50 million and provided certain tax exemptions and tax deferrals that help to reduce the project costs. Upon opening, a toll will be charged to cross the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the eastbound direction. The toll will initially be set at $3.00. Future tolls will be set by the Transportation Commission with recommendations by the Citizen Advisory Committee appointed by the Governor. Citizen Committee members must reside within the project area. The project notice to proceed was provided to the design-builder in September 2002. The project is scheduled to be completed in early 2008.