Unknown Facts About The Golden Gate Bridge

Unknown-Facts-About-The-Golden-Gate-Bridge
Apart from being a famous orange construction, the Golden Gate Bridge is also a major symbol of San Francisco. Starting with the etymology of its appellation, this bridge is covered in many unsung stories and fascinating details. From its controversial beginnings to its impact on transportation and society, let us investigate the mysterious and hidden sides of this amazing technical achievement.

Renowned emblem representing not only San Francisco but the whole United States is the Golden Gate Bridge. The name “Golden Gate” derived from the small strait separating this Californian city from the vast Pacific Ocean. Captain John Fremont assigned it the name in 1846, so permanently placing it in historical significance.

Inspired by the creative ideas of the young engineer Joseph B. Strauss, the building of the bridge—which took place between 1933 and 1937—was an enormous task. Introduced to the public on May 28, 1937, it is a noteworthy accomplishment in the domains of architecture and engineering. The building costs came out to be shockingly $35 million, a number experts estimate would be more than $1 billion in the current state of the economy.

Still, the process of its development ran against several difficulties. More than 2,300 people, businesses, and companies strongly objected to the building of the bridge. With a majority share of 51 percent in the ferry operations in charge of moving people and vehicles between San Francisco and Marin County, the Southern Pacific Railroad presented as the most powerful adversary. Even non-profit groups like the Sierra Club voiced their opposition, citing worries about the bridge compromising the fragile ecosystem and lovely natural surroundings of the area.

Unveiling the Unsung Heroes and Hidden Tragedies

Ten different building companies participated in the project, albeit the precise number of people engaged in the bridge building is unknown. Unfortunately, none of these businesses have stood the test of time, hence exact records about every employee who helped to build the Golden Gate Bridge are permanently lost.

Unfortunately, a terrible event happened just three months before the much awaited opening of the bridge. Ten workers were tragically killed when the scaffolding supporting them collapsed and sent them falling through a safety net into the Pacific Ocean. The building of this famous site claimed eleven lives overall.

"Halfway to Hell": The Safety Net's Eerie Nickname

Under the massive steel construction, a safety net was positioned deliberately during building. For 19 workers who fell while working on the bridge, the net—which was ominously referred to as “Halfway to Hell—was absolutely vital for their survival. It served as an unambiguous and frightening reminder of the perilous nature of their work and the continuous possibility of a fatal fall.

Engineering Marvel and Statistical Significance

When the Golden Gate Bridge was completed, its enormous weight of 887,000 tons and height of 1,280 meters made it praised as the biggest suspension bridge in the world. Its significance has not lessened even if it now ranks eighth worldwide and second in the United States (after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York). At 1,991 meters, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan is presently the longest bridge in the world.

The Golden Gate Bridge has seen an incredible 2,025,553,000 vehicles pass it since its opening until the beginning of 2014, attesting to its long-lasting relevance and appeal.

Weathering the Storms and Traffic Congestion

Surprisingly, just three times—in 1951, 1982, and 1983—have extreme weather caused the bridge to be closed. The closures were mandated by winds ranging from 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, so momentarily stopping traffic.

Aiming at lessening traffic congestion, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transport District adopted a major policy in April 1976. Tolls were waived for two-axle motor cars carrying three or more passengers during heavy traffic. This control was in effect till 2010. These days, these vehicles have to pay a $4 toll.

The 50th Birthday Celebration: A Memorable Mishap

Originally scheduled as a celebration, the Golden Gate Bridge’s 50th anniversary celebration became unanticipated for many of the attendees. Although the planners had anticipated a turnout of 50,000, an amazing 800,000 people showed up for the event. Many people experienced claustrophobia, nausea, and dizziness in response to the oscillation of the bridge caused by the strong winds and traffic. This surprising development reminded me of the great popularity of the bridge and the challenges of organizing big events.

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