The Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic symbol of San Francisco and California, is renowned worldwide. Many first-time visitors often wonder about its name. Interestingly, the name “Golden Gate” has nothing to do with the bridge’s striking International Orange color. So, why is it called the Golden Gate Bridge?
The name “Golden Gate” actually refers to the Golden Gate Strait, the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the vast Pacific Ocean. This strait, in turn, was named long before the bridge was even conceived. Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was a significant undertaking, lasting just over four years, from January 5, 1933, to its opening for vehicles on May 29, 1937. This marvel of engineering came at a cost of $35 million in the 1930s, which equates to approximately $1.5 billion in 2016 dollars.
Understanding the structure of the Golden Gate Bridge requires grasping the concept of a suspension bridge. It’s essentially the structural opposite of an arch. While an arch relies on compression forces, a suspension bridge uses tension, evident in its gracefully curving cables that bear the load.
When it was completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was not only an engineering feat but also a record-breaker. It boasted the longest bridge span in the world at the time, measuring 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) between its supports, and also featured the tallest bridge towers ever built. To put its size into perspective:
- Tower Height Above Water: 746 feet (227 meters)
- Tower Height Above Roadway: 500 feet (152 meters)
- Length of Suspension Span: 1.2 miles (6,450 feet or 1,966 meters)
- Total Bridge Length (abutment to abutment): 1.7 miles (8,981 feet or 2,737 meters)
- Bridge Width: 90 feet (27 meters)
- Bridge Weight: 840 million pounds (382 million kg) – heavier than the Empire State Building!
The main cables of the Golden Gate Bridge are colossal. Each cable has a diameter of 36 3/8 inches (0.92 meters) and a length of 7,650 feet (2,332 meters).
Each main cable is an intricate assembly of 27,572 individual wires. If stretched end-to-end, these wires could encircle the Earth more than three times! These wires are carefully grouped and then compressed by hydraulic pressure to form the robust main cables.
You might notice that the official name is the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. This broader title reflects the district’s commitment to managing traffic effectively. While traffic jams are infrequent on the bridge itself, this is partly due to the Bridge District’s foresight in introducing ferry service in 1970 and bus transit in 1972. Annually, the bridge accommodates 40 million vehicles, while ferries transport around 2.5 million passengers, and buses carry over 6 million passengers.
In conclusion, the Golden Gate Bridge is named after the Golden Gate Strait, the body of water it spans, not its color. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and planning, managing not just vehicle traffic but also providing vital public transportation options in the Bay Area. For more detailed information and historical facts, explore the History & Research section on the official Golden Gate Bridge website.
