I just returned from the reopening ceremony of Tacoma's Murray Morgan Bridge. It's currently only open for cyclists and pedestrian use, but an RFQ will be issued soon to complete the restoration for vehicular traffic. The fully restored bridge should be reopened in time to celebrate it's 100th anniversary in 2013.
There were 40 or 50 people on hand to hear from former Tacoma mayor Bill Baarsma explain briefly why the bridge is so important to business development and safety. Mayor Marilyn Strickland wore a bridge replica tiara from Le Roy Jewelers, which, she said, had an operating center span that gets stuck sometimes, just like the real bridge. I also spotted one of Beautiful Angle's "Save Me" posters that a citizen brought to sneak into the ceremonial ribbon-cutting photos. Nice touch!
I was one of four cyclists that turned up on a bike and we were the first across the bridge deck, along with a local solar enthusiast who rode a Goped electric scooter. The deck hasn't yet been resurfaced, but it has been swept of crumbling concrete and pigeon carcasses.
Someone pointed out a rainbow in the sky between the downtown buildings as we looked up 11th Street. It was a beautiful morning to reconnect with my favorite Tacoma landmark.
1 comment:
Ran the bridge at lunch today and agree... it was great to see the city from this vantage point again. Couldn't help but notice the "Burn this city" anarchy grafitti on the deck. Apparently, not everyone feels the same as we do :)
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