Measuring
over 9200 feet long, the Golden Gate Bridge
is one of the largest suspension bridges
in the world. Built in the 1930s (started
in 1933 and finished in 1937) the Golden
Gate Bridge is a symbol not only of the
west coast, but also the city of San Francisco.
At mid-span the bridge is 220 feet above
the waters of the pass called the “Golden
Gate” (that’s how the bridge
got its name), which is the best way to
get out into the Pacific Ocean. Many a
soldier during World War II saw the bridge
disappear in the distance (some never
to see it again) as they went off to fight
the Japanese.
The city of San Francisco needs bridges!
Located on a peninsula that points north,
it is situated on a body of water that
is an excellent harbour. Without its suspension
bridges (there is another giant leading
out of the city, the Oakland Bay Bridge;
San Francisco has eight bridges in total)
San Francisco would be cut off from the
other side of the bay and would have to
rely on ferries to move traffic from one
place to another.
For
years the Golden Gate Bridge held the
title of longest suspension bridge in
the world. While it no longer holds this
title today it retains its majesty. It
is visited my millions of people each
year who want to walk from one end of
the bridge to the other; the bridge is
free to cycles and foot traffic, and the
view from the centre span of the bridge
of breathtaking. One word of caution thought…
distanced may be deceiving. While many
may look form their hotel rooms to see
a wonderful days stroll going from one
end to the other can be a daylong journey.
The main part of the bridge itself is
supported by a single span of cables 4200
feet long. Costing 35 million to build,
it was the dram of one man: Joseph Baerman
Strauss. Building bridges was his passion
and when construction started it is said
that the construction project became something
of an obsession. The day that the bridge
was completed San Franciscans joined other
thousands in walking across the newly
opened span in a huge throng of approximately
200,00 people. If you got to San Francisco
and you want to know the city, before
your trip is done you have to see the
Golden Gate Bridge!
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