There's no doubt that San Francisco bridges are some of the most spectacular and complicated bridges in the US. Bridges in San Francisco are famous 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 unique and outstanding bridges that San Francisco has to give.
Hayward Bridge
Originally called the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward Bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At seven miles long, it is at present the longest bridge in the San Francisco area and it ranks as one of the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When they Hayward Bridge was first built in 1929, the Hayward was only two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the Hayward Bridge was reconstructed and made from multiple steel girders and concrete trestle spans.
Oakland Bay Bridge
This unique first of a kind structure is essentially a tunnel plus two bridges that connect the easterly side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. The Oakoland Bay Bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction kicked off in 1933 and opening in 1936. The first is a two spanned double-decker suspension bridge running 10,304 feet long and connecting Yerba Buena Island ti 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 architectural designer Joseph Strauss and was done in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The total weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of cable wire. Most conspicuous though is the orange paint that was employed so that the bridge would be visible to ships in the thick San Fran fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that tried a security-net for the safety of the employees during construction.
Richmond San Rafael Bridge
This wonderful double-decker cantilever and truss bridge is 29,040 feet long and was opened for traffic in 1956. It is popularly called the "roller coaster" bridge and many consider it to be one of the sturdiest bridges ever built. Notwithstanding it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been thought to be hit by ships but hasn't had to close down for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War Two battleship 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 beginning it was problematic, because of a design failing many ships collide into its narrow opening and in 1970 the lift span ceased working. In 1978 a new steel plate girder bridge was assembled and is now called the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge.
Hayward Bridge
Originally called the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward Bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At seven miles long, it is at present the longest bridge in the San Francisco area and it ranks as one of the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When they Hayward Bridge was first built in 1929, the Hayward was only two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the Hayward Bridge was reconstructed and made from multiple steel girders and concrete trestle spans.
Oakland Bay Bridge
This unique first of a kind structure is essentially a tunnel plus two bridges that connect the easterly side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. The Oakoland Bay Bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction kicked off in 1933 and opening in 1936. The first is a two spanned double-decker suspension bridge running 10,304 feet long and connecting Yerba Buena Island ti 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 architectural designer Joseph Strauss and was done in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The total weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of cable wire. Most conspicuous though is the orange paint that was employed so that the bridge would be visible to ships in the thick San Fran fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that tried a security-net for the safety of the employees during construction.
Richmond San Rafael Bridge
This wonderful double-decker cantilever and truss bridge is 29,040 feet long and was opened for traffic in 1956. It is popularly called the "roller coaster" bridge and many consider it to be one of the sturdiest bridges ever built. Notwithstanding it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been thought to be hit by ships but hasn't had to close down for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War Two battleship 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 beginning it was problematic, because of a design failing many ships collide into its narrow opening and in 1970 the lift span ceased working. In 1978 a new steel plate girder bridge was assembled and is now called the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge.
About the Author:
John Feyd has been fascinated by San francisco bridges for a few years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For detailed info, please visit his site.
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