Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks of San Francisco, USA. Spanning the Golden Gate Strait, it connects the northern tip of San Francisco with Marin County, linking San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. The bridge has a total length of 2,737.4 meters (8,981 feet), with a main span of 1,280.2 meters (4,200 feet), which was the longest suspension bridge span in the world at the time of its completion. The roadway is 27.5 meters (90 feet) wide, accommodating six lanes of traffic in both directions. The bridge is painted in its distinctive reddish-orange color. With tower heights reaching 227.4 meters (746 feet), the Golden Gate Bridge is the fourth tallest bridge in the world.
The original concept for the Golden Gate Bridge was proposed by bridge engineer Joseph Strauss, who had previously designed over 400 inland bridges. Strauss spent more than a decade persuading Northern California residents to support the project. The final design was a collaboration among several experts, including Irving Morrow, who determined the bridge’s aesthetic and color scheme, Charles Alton Ellis, responsible for the complex mathematical calculations, and Leon Moisseiff, a renowned bridge designer.
Construction of the bridge officially began on January 5, 1933, and after four years of work, it was completed in April 1937. On May 27 of the same year, the bridge was opened to pedestrians. Notably, before the concrete was poured for the south tower foundation, Joseph Strauss placed a brick from his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, symbolizing his dedication to the project. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a button in Washington, D.C., officially opening the bridge to vehicular traffic.
The construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was financed through $35 million in bonds, secured by residents of the San Francisco area, who mortgaged their homes, farms, and businesses. By 1977, all debts were fully repaid, with the total cost, including $39 million in interest, covered entirely by toll revenue.
One of the bridge’s innovative safety features during construction was the installation of a safety net beneath the structure to reduce worker fatalities from falls. While 11 workers lost their lives, the net successfully saved 19 others, who became honorary members of what was humorously called the “Halfway to Hell Club.”
Before 1957, the Golden Gate Bridge held the title of the longest suspension bridge in the world, and until 1964, its two towers supported the longest suspension span ever built. Until recently, these towers remained among the tallest suspension bridge towers in the world.
The bridge’s signature color, International Orange, was carefully chosen by Irving Morrow. He believed that this shade not only complemented the natural surroundings but also made the bridge more visible in the frequent fog that envelops the Golden Gate Strait. Due to its groundbreaking design and extraordinary beauty, the bridge is widely regarded by engineers as a masterpiece of both engineering and aesthetics. The American Society of Civil Engineers has also recognized it as one of the modern wonders of the world. Additionally, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges globally, frequently appearing in films, postcards, and photographs, solidifying its status as an enduring symbol of San Francisco.
