Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of the most recognizable and beautiful bridges in the world. It is known for its vibrant coloring and lightweight, seemingly floating in the air, design. The bridge connects the city of San Francisco, located in the north of the peninsula of the same name, and Marin County, near Sausalito. The Golden Gate serves as a major thoroughfare in Northern California, and is also known as a prominent landmark in the United States. For a long time, from 1937 to 1964 to be exact, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Let this status has long since been lost, but, still, a length of more than 2.7 kilometers is quite impressive.
Video: Golden Gate Bridge
% Contents- Highlights
- Length, width and height of the Golden Gate Bridge
- History of construction
- Suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge
Traffic - Tourists in mind
- Interesting facts
- How to get there
Highlights
The Golden Gate Bridge has an impressive size, which is justified, as it is the only exit from San Francisco to the north. The bridge is part of both Federal Highway 101 and California State Highway 1. Its weight is 894,500 tons.
.The total length of the Golden Gate is 2,737 meters; this figure takes into account the approaches to the bridge. At the same time, the suspension section is 1,966 meters long, of which the main span (the distance between the two towers) is 1,280 meters long.
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The width of the bridge is 27 meters, of which 19 m is given for the roadway and sidewalks take up 3 m each.
.The height of the piers is 227 meters above the water. The height of the carriageway above the water surface at high tide is 67 meters.
Construction History
Joseph Strauss is considered the official engineer for the project. His name is also on the plaque on the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. However, in reality, the main work was done by Lev Moiseyev and Charles Alton Ellis, but due to quarrels with Joseph Strauss, their names were not mentioned and were hidden from the public for a time.
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Since the early 20th century, engineer Joseph Strauss fought hard for his project, overcoming all obstacles. Nevertheless, a cable-stayed bridge connecting the north and south shores of the harbor still seemed like an unattainable dream.
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The Golden Gate Strait was originally considered an extremely unfavorable area for bridge construction. The strong parent rock lies here too deep under the water column, and above it with a terrible speed rushing strong powerful currents. In addition, the strait is located in a region with high seismic activity. And, finally, in the strait does not stop busy shipping, because ships need to get into the harbor of San Francisco and leave it. Given all these factors, no one wanted to support Strauss. However, he did get his way: the Golden Gate Bridge began construction on January 5, 1933.
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Problems on the construction site began from the first days, especially with regard to the foundation for the south abutment. Because of the instability of the ground in moving water, the support had to be carried farther out into the strait, 335 meters from shore, where the depth was as deep as 30 meters. The current in this area was so strong that it was only possible to work underwater for the short period of time when the tide was out, i.e. no more than 20 minutes each day. Each bridge pylon is 227 meters high and was assembled from individual modules using approximately 1.2 million steel rivets. To celebrate the completion of this most difficult construction, the last rivet hammered was made of gold.
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The consulting architect on the project was Irving Morrow, assisted by his wife. It was they who created the design of the Golden Gate. It is because of their tower supports that the bridge is so beautiful and graceful. The same married couple proposed to paint the bridge orange-red, although before them the bridge, as usual, was to be painted in metal or black. The architect changed everyone’s mind, proving that the bay, which is flooded with light, would look even more beautiful if its bridge was painted in bright colors. And he was unequivocally right.
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Suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge
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Still, some people managed to survive. In total, there are about 30 people. However, almost all of them were very seriously injured and had to be treated in the hospital for a long time. All of them jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge so that they entered the water with their feet. Those who jumped headfirst, however, did not survive. Two times it was so that the person who jumped from the bridge, did not get serious injuries, independently got to the shore and on his own went to the hospital for examination. And one girl is known as the one who jumped off the bridge twice (the second case is fatal).
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Automobile traffic
Tourists take note
For bicyclists, traveling across the bridge is free and open 24 hours a day, but you have to pay attention to which side and when to ride. Typically, in winter, the east side is open from 5:00 am to 3:30 pm and the west side from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. In the summer, you can ride longer – until 21.00. That said, the Golden Gate is also available to bicyclists at night by pressing the “buzzer” button next to the gate and staff will remotely open the entrance.
.Vehicles can travel 24 hours a day, but southbound traffic is tolled – since 2011, the toll for cars crossing the bridge has been raised from $5 to $6 ($5 if paying through the Fastrak electronic system). Northbound traffic is free. Ambulances, police and fire trucks are free to pass in either direction.
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The following are not allowed on the Golden Gate Bridge:
.- operating electric bicycles, scooters;
- skateboards, rollerblades; .
- animals, including dogs, horses and others (does not apply to guide dogs);
- shopping carts, wheelbarrows.
How to get there
Address: Golden Gate, San Francisco, California, United States.
.The Golden Gate Bridge is visible from almost any hill in San Francisco, as well as from nearby streets and parks. It is located in Presidio Park, which is easily accessible by bus or car. Buses #4, 10, 24, 27, 54, 56, 58, 70, 72, 74, 76, 92, 101, 101x to the Golden Gate Toll Plaza stop are suitable. The most pleasant way to approach the Golden Gate is via the famous Baker Beach, just west of the bridge.
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By car, all you have to do is drive north of San Francisco on Highway 101.
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