The Icon: Golden Gate Bridge
Engineering wonder or colossal work of art? For many who drive or bike across, or simply admire it from afar, the Golden Gate Bridge is both.
Vaulting across the milewide strait for which it’s named, joining San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean, the span opened May 28, 1937, after more than four years of construction.
Though the bridge links San Francisco‘s urban skyline with the hills of Marin County to the north, it’s far more than just functional. Mysterious when shrouded in fog, viviid when bathed in the supple light of the bay, it remains a timeless symbol of a city.
Here are some fast facts about this art deco icon:
Length: 1.7 miles, including approaches. The main suspension span (0.8 miles) is currently the world’s ninth longest.
Height: 746 feet, about 100 feet shorter than San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid.
Average daily use: 110,113 vehicles, 10,000 pedestrians, and 6,000 bicycles per day.
Best spot for a photo: The Marin Headlands above the northern end, where the view includes San Francisco’s skyline.
Cool hue: International orange, selected to complement the natural setting. The U.S. Navy had wanted black with yellow stripes.
Closures: Eight total—three times for high winds, once to accommodate construction, twice for anniversary walks (in 1987 and 2012), and one each during visits of Franklin Roosevelt and Charles de Gaulle.
Most pedestrians at one time: 300,000 during the 1987 50th anniversary walk, which flattened the roadway’s normal arc from the weight.
Construction fatalities: Eleven. In addition, 19 workers became members of the “Halfway-to-Hell Club” when a net stopped their falls.
Biggest myth: That it’s regularly repainted end-to-end. In fact, continuous touch-ups maintain the 83,000 tons of structural steel.
Lucky rider: On February 22, 1985, the one billionth driver crossed the bridge. Arthur Molinari, a dentist, received a bridge-construction hard hat and a case of champagne.
> Related:
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Fireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state parkFireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state park
- These are the weird reasons octopuses change shape and colorThese are the weird reasons octopuses change shape and color
- Why young scientists want you to care about 'scary' speciesWhy young scientists want you to care about 'scary' species
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
Environment
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
- The northernmost flower living at the top of the worldThe northernmost flower living at the top of the world
- This beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on NigeriaThis beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on Nigeria
- What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disasterWhat the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster
History & Culture
- Scientists find evidence of ancient waterway beside Egypt’s pyramidsScientists find evidence of ancient waterway beside Egypt’s pyramids
- This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?
Science
- Why pickleball is so good for your body and your mindWhy pickleball is so good for your body and your mind
- Extreme heat can be deadly – here’s how to know if you’re at riskExtreme heat can be deadly – here’s how to know if you’re at risk
- Why dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a rewardWhy dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a reward
- What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?
- Oral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuriesOral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuries
- How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out.
- Science
How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out.
Travel
- Fireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state parkFireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state park
- How to explore the highlights of Italy's dazzling Lake ComoHow to explore the highlights of Italy's dazzling Lake Como
- Going on a cruise? Here’s how to stay healthy onboardGoing on a cruise? Here’s how to stay healthy onboard
- What to see and do in Werfen, Austria's iconic destinationWhat to see and do in Werfen, Austria's iconic destination