Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge, the most iconic landmark of Fan Francisco is 8980 ft (2737 m or 1.7 mile or 2.74 km) long from abutment to abutment.
The idea of building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait, which connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, dates back to the late 19th century. However, it wasn't until 1916 that the concept gained significant traction, thanks to a proposal published in the San Francisco Bulletin by James Wilkins, a former engineering student turned journalist. The initial estimate for the project was a staggering $100 million, but San Francisco's city engineer, Michael M. O'Shaughnessy, sought a more affordable solution.
Joseph Strauss, an engineer from Chicago known for his work on drawbridges, took on the challenge. Strauss, along with O'Shaughnessy, proposed a suspension bridge that could be built for $30 million. Strauss became the chief engineer of the project and was instrumental in its design and execution. Other crucial contributors included Charles Ellis and Leon Moisseiff, who made significant engineering contributions, and Irving Morrow, the architectural designer who chose the bridge's signature color, International Orange.
Construction on the Golden Gate Bridge began on January 5, 1933, and was carried out by the McClintic-Marshall Construction Co., a subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The project was marked by numerous challenges, including rapidly running tides, frequent storms, and dense fogs. Strauss introduced innovative safety measures, such as movable safety netting and early versions of hard hats, which saved many lives. Despite these precautions, 11 workers lost their lives during the construction, while 19 others were saved by the safety net and became known as the "Half-Way-to-Hell Club".
The bridge was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, with a final cost of $35 million (approximately $610 million in today's dollars). It was officially opened to the public on May 27, 1937, with a "Pedestrian Day" that attracted over 200,000 people. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the bridge to vehicular traffic via a telegraph key from the White House.
At the time of its completion, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 4,200 feet and towers standing 746 feet tall. It held these titles until 1964 and 1998, respectively. The bridge is not only an engineering marvel but also a symbol of San Francisco and California, recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Wonders of the Modern World. It has withstood significant events, including the 7.1-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, without sustaining major damage.
The bridge's 50th anniversary in 1987 was celebrated with "Bridgewalk '87," where an estimated 300,000 people walked across the bridge, temporarily flattening its roadbed. This event highlighted the bridge's enduring popularity and structural resilience.
The Golden Gate Bridge continues to be one of the most photographed and admired bridges in the world, connecting San Francisco to Marin County and serving as a testament to human ingenuity and engineering excellence.
For more info:
