The Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic symbol of San Francisco and a testament to human ingenuity, was officially completed and opened to the public on May 27, 1937. However, its construction spanned several years, with work beginning on January 5, 1933. This monumental project, which connects San Francisco to Marin County across the Golden Gate Strait, took just over four years to build—a remarkable feat given the technological and environmental challenges of the time. In this article, we’ll explore the timeline, key milestones, and fascinating details behind the creation of this engineering masterpiece.
When Was the Golden Gate Bridge Built?
The Vision and Planning Phase
The story of the Golden Gate Bridge begins long before the first shovel hit the ground. The idea of bridging the Golden Gate Strait—a treacherous, windy, and fog-laden waterway—was first proposed in the late 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the concept gained serious traction.
Early Proposals and Skepticism
As early as 1869, San Francisco residents dreamed of a bridge to connect the city to the northern counties. However, engineers dismissed the idea as impractical due to the strait’s deep waters (up to 335 feet), strong currents, and frequent earthquakes in the region. The turning point came in 1916 when James Wilkins, a local newspaper editor, campaigned for a bridge, estimating a cost of $100 million—a figure that seemed astronomical at the time.
Joseph Strauss Enters the Scene
In 1921, engineer Joseph B. Strauss submitted a preliminary design for a hybrid cantilever-suspension bridge. Strauss, a bridge-building veteran with over 400 structures to his name, believed the project was feasible. His initial design was clunky and unattractive, but it sparked interest. Over the next decade, Strauss refined his vision, eventually collaborating with other experts to create the elegant Art Deco suspension bridge we know today.
Construction Begins: January 5, 1933
After years of planning, funding debates, and engineering refinements, construction officially began on January 5, 1933. The Great Depression was in full swing, and the project provided much-needed jobs and economic stimulus. However, the challenges of building in such a hostile environment were immense.
Building the Foundations
The first major task was constructing the bridge’s two massive towers, which would rise 746 feet above the water—taller than any structure in San Francisco at the time. The south tower, located in the open ocean near the San Francisco shore, posed the greatest challenge.
Battling the Elements
To build the south tower’s foundation, workers had to construct a concrete fender—a protective ring—around the site to shield it from the Pacific Ocean’s relentless waves. Divers worked underwater in perilous conditions, placing dynamite to blast away rock and clear the seabed. On several occasions, storms destroyed progress, forcing the team to start over. By mid-1934, the south tower’s foundation was finally complete, a triumph of perseverance.
The North Tower and Anchorages
The north tower, located closer to the Marin County shore, was less exposed to ocean currents and was completed more quickly. Meanwhile, massive concrete anchorages were built on both sides of the strait to hold the bridge’s suspension cables. Each anchorage weighed 60,000 tons and was designed to withstand the enormous tension of the cables.
Spinning the Cables and Laying the Deck
With the towers in place, the next phase involved creating the bridge’s defining feature: its suspension cables.
The Art of Cable Spinning
Beginning in 1935, workers “spun” the bridge’s two main cables, each made up of 27,572 individual steel wires bundled into 61 strands. The process, overseen by cable expert John A. Roebling’s Sons Company, involved stretching wires back and forth across the strait using a spinning wheel. The cables, stretching over 7,600 feet, were an engineering marvel, capable of supporting the bridge’s 1.7-mile span.
A Dangerous Job
Cable spinning was grueling and dangerous work. Workers perched on narrow catwalks hundreds of feet above the water, often in thick fog or high winds. Despite safety measures, including a net strung beneath the bridge, 11 men lost their lives during construction—10 in a single accident when a scaffold collapsed in February 1937.
Completing the Roadway
Once the cables were finished in 1936, workers began hanging steel suspender ropes and laying the bridge deck. The roadway, designed to carry six lanes of traffic and pedestrian walkways, was completed in early 1937. The bridge’s distinctive “International Orange” paint was applied to enhance visibility in San Francisco’s frequent fog.
Grand Opening: May 27, 1937
After four years and four months of relentless effort, the Golden Gate Bridge was ready for its debut. On May 27, 1937, dubbed “Pedestrian Day,” over 200,000 people walked across the bridge to celebrate its completion. The following day, May 28, it opened to vehicular traffic, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt symbolically pressing a button in Washington, D.C., to mark the occasion.
A Symbol of Progress
The bridge’s completion was hailed as a victory over nature and a beacon of hope during the Depression. Costing $35 million (under budget from initial estimates), it was a rare public works project that delivered on its promises.
Legacy and Modern Day
Since its opening, the Golden Gate Bridge has become one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It remains a vital transportation link, carrying over 100,000 vehicles daily, and a beloved landmark for tourists and locals alike.
Engineering Feats Recognized
In 1999, the American Society of Civil Engineers named the Golden Gate Bridge one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World,” alongside marvels like the Panama Canal and the Empire State Building. Its design, by Strauss, architect Irving Morrow, and engineer Leon Moisseiff, set a standard for suspension bridges worldwide.
Ongoing Maintenance
Maintaining the bridge is a never-ending task. Its steel is constantly repainted to protect against corrosion from the salty Pacific air, and seismic retrofits have been added to ensure it can withstand earthquakes—a nod to its location near the San Andreas Fault.
Conclusion
The Golden Gate Bridge was built between January 5, 1933, and May 27, 1937—a timeline that reflects both the ambition and resilience of those who made it possible. From its visionary beginnings to its triumphant opening, the bridge stands as a testament to human determination and engineering brilliance. Today, nearly a century later, it continues to inspire awe and connect communities, a timeless monument to what we can achieve when we dare to dream big.
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