The case of the Tacoma Narrows bridge is a well-known cautionary tale that’s discussed in engineering and physics classrooms ...

Thursday marks the 84th anniversary of when the Tacoma Narrows Bridge infamously collapsed due to strong winds in 1940. The ...

On November 7, 1940, only four months after it opened, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed in a wind of 42 mph—even though the structure was designed to withstand winds of up to 120 mph.

The Tacoma Narrows bridge collapse was a true disaster, but it did have a silver lining. It motivated the engineering community to do extensive testing and research to make suspension bridges safer.

But what, exactly, should it look like? The agency presented several styles, including a suspension bridge (Tacoma Narrows style) and an above deck arch bridge at its open house at Salishan Family ...