Press Releases

Spider Engineers Solution for New Tacoma Narrows Bridge Project

July 26, 2006

Seattle, WA - Spider, a division of SafeWorks, LLC, has been retained by Tacoma Narrows Constructors as the primary suspended access equipment supplier for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project in western Washington, a joint venture between Bechtel Corporation and Peter Kiewit Sons, Inc.

Spider custom engineered six 15 foot platforms with twelve SC1500 hoists to solve the main challenge of providing a swing stage that met the customer's load requirements and collected dangling suspension lines, to solve the hazard posed by working over water.

"With our robust modular platform and SC1500 traction hoists, we were able to provide two key suspended access elements: a 4-line system that eliminated the use of an independent safety rope, and a stage with wire winders and an electric cord basket. These solutions resulted not only in successful, safe access for the customer, but cost savings as well," states John Sotiroff, Vice President - Spider Sales and Distribution.

Spider's custom designed solution, along with four additional SC1000 material hoists, will assist in the final stages of this project - lifting the new bridge's deck sections in place 200 feet above the fast-moving currents below.

Slated for completion in summer 2007, the new bridge is being built parallel to the original Narrows Bridge, which is currently undergoing seismic renovation. The expanded bridge system will alleviate traffic congestion in this heavily traveled corridor.

Located just miles from Spider's corporate headquarters in Seattle, this project showcases Spider's custom-designed solutions capability, the new SC1500 hoist, and rigging expertise in the area's landmark structure.