There's no doubt that San Francisco bridges are examples of the most spectacular and complicated bridges in the US. Bridges in San Francisco are renowned for many alternative reasons, if it is for their size or the mark they have made in history. Featured here are a few of the most unusual and important bridges that San Francisco has to give.
Hayward Bridge
Originally known as the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward Bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At seven miles long, it is presently the longest bridge in the San Fran area and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. The original bridge was built in 1929, it was only two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the Hayward Bridge was reconstructed from multiple steel girders and concrete trestle spans.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The Oakland Bay Bridge is a unique structure, and is essentially a tunnel and two bridges that connect the east side of San Francisco and the west side of Oakland. The bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction starting in 1933 and opening in 1936. The first part is a two spanned double-decker suspension bridge running 10,304 feet long and connecting Yerba Buena to San Francisco. After leaving the Yerba Buena tunnel, a 10,176 foot cantilever bridge continues to the Oakland Bay.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate bridge was designed by the famous architect and designer Joseph Strauss and was finished in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The overall weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each of the cables having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of the thick cable wire. Most noticeable though is the orange paint that was employed so the bridge would be observable to ships in the thick San Fran fog. This is also the first bridge that ever used a safety net for the safety of the employees during construction.
Richmond San Rafael Bridge
This superb double-decker cantilever and truss bridge is 29,040 feet long and was opened for traffic in 1956. It is nicknamed the "roller coaster" bridge and many consider it to be one of the sturdiest bridges ever built. In spite of it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been known to be hit by ships but has not had to close for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War II war ship collided with the bridge both on the self same day.
Antioch Bridge
The first Antioch Bridge was built in 1926 by Aven Hanford and Oscar Klatt, it was actually the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the the start it had problems, because of a design failing many ships collide into its narrow opening and in 1970 the lift span ceased to work. In 1978 a new steel plate girder bridge was made and is now known as the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge.
Hayward Bridge
Originally known as the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward Bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At seven miles long, it is presently the longest bridge in the San Fran area and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. The original bridge was built in 1929, it was only two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the Hayward Bridge was reconstructed from multiple steel girders and concrete trestle spans.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The Oakland Bay Bridge is a unique structure, and is essentially a tunnel and two bridges that connect the east side of San Francisco and the west side of Oakland. The bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction starting in 1933 and opening in 1936. The first part is a two spanned double-decker suspension bridge running 10,304 feet long and connecting Yerba Buena to San Francisco. After leaving the Yerba Buena tunnel, a 10,176 foot cantilever bridge continues to the Oakland Bay.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate bridge was designed by the famous architect and designer Joseph Strauss and was finished in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The overall weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each of the cables having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of the thick cable wire. Most noticeable though is the orange paint that was employed so the bridge would be observable to ships in the thick San Fran fog. This is also the first bridge that ever used a safety net for the safety of the employees during construction.
Richmond San Rafael Bridge
This superb double-decker cantilever and truss bridge is 29,040 feet long and was opened for traffic in 1956. It is nicknamed the "roller coaster" bridge and many consider it to be one of the sturdiest bridges ever built. In spite of it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been known to be hit by ships but has not had to close for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War II war ship collided with the bridge both on the self same day.
Antioch Bridge
The first Antioch Bridge was built in 1926 by Aven Hanford and Oscar Klatt, it was actually the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the the start it had problems, because of a design failing many ships collide into its narrow opening and in 1970 the lift span ceased to work. In 1978 a new steel plate girder bridge was made and is now known as the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge.
About the Author:
John Feyd has had an interest in San francisco bridges for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For full information, please feel free to visit his site.
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