Golden Gate Bridge-80 years from its opening
It is the longest suspension bridge (span) from its opening in May 27, 1937 till the opening of its succession Verrazano-Narrows bridge in 1964. With a main span of 1280.2 metres, the Golden gate bridge is constructed in the post world war I period connecting San Francisco to Marin County (California). It is listed as one of the seven wonders of modern world by American Society of Civil Engineers (Greatest Civil Engineering achievements of 20th century). It is a world renowned structure with 110,000 daily traffic.
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| Golden Gate Bridge (Pixabay) |
Specs:
Designer: Joseph Strauss
Construction Start: Jan 5 1933
Construction completion (Opening): May 27 1937
Carries: 6 lanes of US 101 / SR 1
Construction company: McClintic-Marshall Construction Co.
Construction Start: Jan 5 1933
Construction completion (Opening): May 27 1937
Carries: 6 lanes of US 101 / SR 1
Construction company: McClintic-Marshall Construction Co.
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| By Roulex 45 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Interesting Facts:
> The color of the bridge is selected in such a way that it enhances visibility in the fog and also looks pleasing with the surroundings.
> The Golden Gate Bridge has lost 7,500 tons (in weight) since it opened in 1937.
> The Golden Gate Bridge has the second highest number of suicides in the world, after the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, with around 1,600 bodies having been recovered as of 2012, and the assumption of many more unconfirmed deaths.
> The movable median barrier between the lanes is moved several times daily to conform to traffic patterns. On weekday mornings, traffic flows mostly southbound into the city, so four of the six lanes run southbound. Conversely, on weekday afternoons, four lanes run northbound. During off-peak periods and weekends, traffic is split with three lanes in each direction.
> It is estimated that 5,000 - 10,000 gallons of paint are used to repaint the Golden Gate Bridge each year.
> The bridge has only been closed three times due to weather since it was built; all three times due to high winds gusting close to or over 70 miles per hour.
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| Image: Pixabay |
Bridge name and Color
The bridge's name was first used when the project was initially discussed in 1917 by M.M. O'Shaughnessy, city engineer of San Francisco, and Strauss. The name became official with the passage of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District Act by the state legislature in 1923, creating a special district to design, build and finance the bridge.
The color of the bridge is officially an orange vermilion called international orange. The color was selected by consulting architect Irving Morrow because it complements the natural surroundings and enhances the bridge's visibility in fog.
The color of the bridge is officially an orange vermilion called international orange. The color was selected by consulting architect Irving Morrow because it complements the natural surroundings and enhances the bridge's visibility in fog.
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| Golden Gate bridge (Aerial View) |
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