Early in July, 2007 is the scheduled opening, until then there will be months of strategic choreography taking place over the swift moving water below. We watch from SkyKING as the first section is slowly moved into position. Most of the deck sections will have to be lifted twice, first a “trans-lift” from the Swan ship to a waiting barge, then from the barge up into the final position. Beginning with the two center sections then followed by an east and west section respectively. An enormous balancing act repeated over and over until the Swan is empty. After which the freighter sails for South Korea for the final load of sections. Meanwhile the vessel Teal which is moored in Commencement Bay moves into place with its 15 deck sections. Some of the sections will be placed over land since both sides of the bridge begin on land. To do this, the Tacoma Narrows constructors Kiewit and Bechtel will perform a technique called “trapezing” where they will lift a section and then slowly swing it from cable to cable until it reaches its proper position. This can take up to a week or more but is all part of the bridge-building ballet.

Nearly 80 percent finished, the project is going well according to Claudia Cornish, Department of Transportation spokesperson. I asked whether they were running over budget and she told me that Washington State's contract with Kiewit and Bechtel at $615 million is all that taxpayers should be expected to pay for the bridge construction.

There are more costs dealing with peripheral aspects such as the toll operation and retrofitting the old Narrows Bridge, but no financial overruns are on the horizon. Speaking of tolls, the project was originally planned with a $3 toll collected eastbound. That figure is being studied by the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizens Advisory Committee which was appointed last May by the Governor. Their recommendation goes to the State Transportation Commission which will set the final amount.

Isn’t it nice to see progress being made in the essential area of transportation? I saved the best for last, although many of you already know this, it was new to me. This new cable span bridge has been built to be upgradeable. Should the time come when more vehicle capacity is needed, another deck can be added to the bridge. I really like it when people think ahead.

You can follow the progress at the state's Tacoma Narrows Bridge construction Web site; www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/. Of course check back here and SkyKING will also follow the progress from up above.