"Sketch of Span Now Under Way at Narrows, April 6, 1948", University of Washington Libraries
The Collapse of Galloping Gertie:
A Revolutionary Turning Point in Suspension Bridge Design
The New Bridge
Once Farquharson and his team figured out why the 1940 bridge collapsed, they worked on designing a new bridge (Tacoma Narrows Bridge, 1954).
"Taken together, the 1940 and 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridges mark a significant turning point in the design of long-span suspension bridges." - American Society of Civil Engineers
The 10-year research process and construction ultimately culminated in the creation of the 1950 bridge. Part of the process involved installing motion damping devices (Borrowman 144). This phenomenal invention helped keep bridges across the world from twisting.
"Workers on catwalks using a hydraulic press to compact the main cable into a cylindrical shape, Tacoma Narrow Bridge construction, probably 1950", University of Washington Libraries
"The second Narrows Bridge, labeled "Sturdy Gertie" by the newspapers and local promoters, opened to great fanfare", University of Wahington Libraries.
The new bridge opened to the public in October 1950. The public was delighted since the toll was only 50 cents; a lot cheaper than the $7 ferry (Hobbs 124). The 1950 bridge has been standing ever since, thanks to the glorious lessons learned from its predecessor.