The bridge has been featured in a number of popular films. Nowadays, Golden Gate Bridge tolls are only collected in a single direction when southbound and heading into San Francisco. In 1937, the initial bridge toll was 50 cents each way. Toll booth (and rather fancy clock) on the Southbound lanes of the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of them raced to be the first to push a baby stroller, roller skate and run across the Golden Gate Bridge. On that day, up to 200,000 individuals crossed the bridge. On May 27, 1937, the opening of the bridge was celebrated by San Franciscans with Pedestrian Day. The net ended saving the lives of 19 workers, proving an invaluable precaution. While being constructed, a safety net was hung underneath the floor of the bridge, stretching 10 feet wider than the width of the bridge and 15 feet longer beyond its length. However, when the steel came primed in a burnt red hue, it was decided by the consulting architect that the color was quite visible and more pleasant to the eye. To increase its visibility, it was lobbied that the bridge be painted in stripes of blue and yellow.

The Orange Color of the Bridge was Intended Originally to be a Primer It was reported that between 12 and 13 guys were on the tower at the time with no way of getting down.ġ4. The region was struck by an earthquake in June 1935 as workmen men were on top of the unfinished south tower of the bridge. The Bridge was Struck by an Earthquake Even Before it was Finished Classic panoramic view of famous Golden Gate Bridge seen from scenic Baker Beach in beautiful golden evening light on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds in summer, San Francisco, California, USA. Each weighs 44,000 tons and one stands 4200 feet apart from the other. The towers stand 500 feet above street level and 726 feet above the water. This was done right at the construction site. Additional vertical cables were then added to connect the main cable to the deck of the bridge. The street level is approximately 220 feet above water.įor the bridge, the cables were horizontally threaded between two enormous concrete blocks. Between curbs, the driving lanes is 62 feet wide and each sidewalk is 10 feet wide. Ninety feet in width, the bridge has two sidewalks and six driving lanes. Two towers are in place to support the two steel cables that anchor the bridge. The bridge weighs in at a whopping 887,000 tons and contains roughly 88,000 tons of steel. For instance, the depth is over 100 feet between Alcatraz and Angel Island. In 1971, the bonds were retired.Ĭlose to the bridge, the waters have depths in excess of 300 feet. The faith of the local citizenry in the long-term economic value of the project was evident through the decisive approval by a three-to-one margin. Faith of the Local Citizenry in the Project This was done via bonds offered through the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District.ħ. To finance the building of the bridge, local citizen used their own properties as collateral.

The bridge was constructed at a cost of roughly $35.5 million and came in ahead of schedule and under budget. In 1872, three years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad, a bid was made by Charles Crocker for the construction of a bridge that would extend over the Golden Gate Strait. Image credit – David LeeĮngineer Joseph Strauss was responsible for the design of this bridge and he was in charge of the overall design and building of the structure. Interesting facts about the Golden Gate Bridge. At that time, San Francisco was the biggest American city still primarily served by ferry boats this contributed to a deficiency in the growth rate of the city. This was not ideal and plans were put into place to make changes.Ī bridge to create a route between San Francisco and Marin County was deemed vital. Prior to the existence of the bridge, the only way to go back and forth between San Francisco and Marin County was by way of ferry boats. These days, the Golden Gate Bridge, landmark of the West Coast, attracts millions of tourists and commuters each year. Japan’s Akashi Kaikyo Bridge now boasts the longest span in the world. This suspension bridge was viewed as an engineering marvel upon its completion in 1937 in the world at that time, it was the longest primary suspension bridge. The bridge joins Marin County, California to the city of San Francisco. Spanning a distance of 1.7 miles, the Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic structure of the San Francisco Bay region.

Fun bridge facts