Douglas B. MacDonald

Just 129 days after it opened, the $6.4 million Tacoma Narrows Bridge plunged to a watery grave on November 7, 1940. Even before completion, the engineering marvel's tendency to undulate was apparent, earning it the nickname "Galloping Gertie." Still, many of those involved claimed to be utterly stunned by the failure. In Catastrophe to Triumph, Richard S. Hobbs examines the real reasons government agencies hired a New York firm to fatefully revise the first set of plans. He reveals who knew about the imminent danger, what was being done to prevent a disaster, and why it was too little, too late. He recounts the final calamitous hours and harrowing escapes. In the aftermath, he explores the lawsuits, the insurance scam, the formal investigation, the heartbreak of ruined careers, and more. Yet ultimately, the story ends in triumph. Hobbs describes how a magnificent new 1950 bridge rose on the original substructure, along with details about the most recent Narrows span, scheduled to open in 2007. He explains the design changes that ensure stability and the incredible maintenance these intricate machines require. Prepared in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Designed first and foremost to be practical, bridges nevertheless are often breathtaking in their construction, combining function and aesthetics. The historic structures that span the Evergreen State's highways are no exception. These technological wonders are extraordinary by any measure, yet their stories have remained largely unknown. Conceived by visionary engineers and built by anonymous workmen, Washington's highway bridges are amazing triumphs of skill, and played a significant role in the state's history. Several, at the time of their completion, attracted worldwide attention and the praise of professional engineers, influencing the course of bridge construction. In their quest to compile the first comprehensive history of the state's highway bridges, the authors poured through the extensive records at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), collecting definitive documentation and photographs from across the state. This magnificent book, including more than 100 illustrations, represents the culmination of years of study by many individuals associated with WSDOT and the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (Olympia).