Relative to the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, this northern U.S. commercial and cultural hub is known for the Golden Gate Bridge. It spans the Golden Gate and is a suspension bridge. Walking across San Francisco’s and California’s internationally famous artificial structures is an essential part of every visit to San Francisco.
Engineer Joseph Strauss built the 1917 Golden Gate Bridge, which has positioned itself as one of the modern world’s wonders. These are some interesting facts regarding the bridge that most people don’t know.
1. The Construction Of The Bridge Was First Proposed In 1872
1917 saw the design of the Golden Gate Bridge. Still, there had been previous suggestions to construct it. Charles Crocker came up with the plan to build it in 1872, three years after the Transcontinental Railroad was finished.
The goal of the railroad was to connect the coast to the country’s already-existing eastern rail network. Charles had the idea to build a bridge that would span the Golden Gate Strait at the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Sadly, not many took him seriously, and it wasn’t until 1919 that the majority of people began to think about his vision.
2. The Bridge Replaced A Ferry Service
Before this magnificent bridge was built, the only means of transportation for people to get from San Francisco to Marin County was by boat or ferry. From its start in the early 1820s, the ferry service transported people, vehicles, and other cargo for more than a century, up until the construction of the Golden Bridge.
3. It Is A Suspension Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning 1.7 miles, connects Marin County, California, with San Francisco. The creator of this magnificent bridge, Engineer Strauss, knew very little about cable-suspension bridges. He therefore delegated the task to licensed architects.
The extraordinary work that is currently known is the creation of Leon Moussaieff, who is also well known for having designed the Manhattan Bridge in New York. See the Instagram post for more details:
4. The First Design Of The Bridge Was Different
This magnificent bridge’s initial design differs from its existing one. This results from Joseph Strauss, the main engineer, having his original design rejected in 1921. Some who opposed the design referred to it as “an upside-down rat trap.” They called it functional, yet there was no elegance to it. Ultimately, Strauss collaborated with other engineers to create the project’s final design.
5. The Golden Gate Bridge Broke Records
The Golden Gate Bridge was renowned for being the longest bridge ever built. For over 25 years, the 4,200-foot bridge held this record. Nevertheless, the Verrazzano Bridge in New York City broke the record. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which is 3,911 meters (12,831 ft) long, now holds the record.
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6. A Safety Net Installed Below The Bridge Helped Save The Lives Of Workers During Its Construction
A large-scale earthquake in 1935 had a devastating effect on the bridge’s incomplete south tower. In each direction, the tower shifted sixteen feet. There were employees on the site who were unable to reach the downside.
Thankfully, the safety net dangling beneath the bridge’s flow prevented these workers’ deaths. Nevertheless, this disaster claimed the lives of eleven additional workers in spite of these safety precautions. See the Instagram post for more details:
7. The Orange Color Was Initially A Primer
It is a gorgeous bridge, and orange was not the color planned. To improve approaching ship visibility, the U.S. Navy’s original color concept was black with yellow stripes. However, the main architect determined that the burned red primer applied to the steel in San Francisco complimented the natural surroundings of the bridge. The color, now known as international orange, also demanded visibility.
8. The Bridge Has Been Closed Three Times
After opening in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge has not always operated as intended. The bridge failed to operate three separate times. The inclement weather is one of the main causes of its closure. There was construction going on during the other time.
The 50th anniversary of the bridge also saw its closure. In 1983, gusts over 75 mph caused the bridge to close for three hours and twenty-seven minutes. Notable individuals have also contributed to the bridge’s closure. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of them.
9. The 50th Anniversary Of The Bridge Was Disastrous
On Sunday, May 27, 1987, the Golden Gate Bridge celebrated its fiftieth birthday. The authorities had estimated that they would be entertaining about fifty thousand guests on this specific day. Remarkably, 800,000 people showed up at the bridge.
The bridge was unable to support the weight of those individuals, and the arch collapsed. Luckily, the bridge’s construction allowed it to wobble 27 feet horizontally and 15 feet vertically.
10. Over One Billion People Have Used The Golden Gate Bridge
This lovely bridge is in constant use. The fact that over a billion people have crossed the bridge is also not shocking. It was, in reality, utilized by the billionth user in February 1985. In celebration of the event, the user received a case of champagne, a hard hat, and other mementos. Over 112,000 cars utilize the bridge every day as of right now.
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