There is no question that San Francisco bridges are examples of the most formidable and elaborate bridges in the US. Bridges in San Francisco are known for many various reasons, whether or not it is for their size or the mark they have made in history. Featured here are a few of the most unusual and outstanding bridges that San Francisco has to offer.
Hayward Bridge
Originally called the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, this bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At 7 miles long, it is at present the longest bridge in San Francisco and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When they Hayward Bridge was first built in 1929, the Hayward Bridge was only two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the Hayward Bridge was re-made from concrete trestle spans and multiple steel girders.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is essentially a tunnel plus two bridges that connect the easterly side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. It was designed by Charles Purcell with construction starting in 1933 and opening in 1936. The first bridge 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 architectural designer Joseph Strauss and was completed in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of cable. Most noticeable though is the orange paint that was painted on the bridge so that the bridge would be observable to ships in the thick San Francisco fog. This is also the first bridge that tried a safety net for the safety of the workers during construction.
Richmond San Rafael Bridge
This smashing 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. Despite it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been known to be hit by ships but has not had to close down for repairs due to it. In fact a navy radar vessel and a World War Two warship collided with the bridge both on the self same day.
Antioch Bridge
The original Antioch Bridge was built in 1926 by Aven Hanford and Oscar Klatt, it was initially the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the inception it encountered problems, because of a design flaw 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 constructed and is now referred to as the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge.
Hayward Bridge
Originally called the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, this bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At 7 miles long, it is at present the longest bridge in San Francisco and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When they Hayward Bridge was first built in 1929, the Hayward Bridge was only two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the Hayward Bridge was re-made from concrete trestle spans and multiple steel girders.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is essentially a tunnel plus two bridges that connect the easterly side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. It was designed by Charles Purcell with construction starting in 1933 and opening in 1936. The first bridge 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 architectural designer Joseph Strauss and was completed in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of cable. Most noticeable though is the orange paint that was painted on the bridge so that the bridge would be observable to ships in the thick San Francisco fog. This is also the first bridge that tried a safety net for the safety of the workers during construction.
Richmond San Rafael Bridge
This smashing 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. Despite it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been known to be hit by ships but has not had to close down for repairs due to it. In fact a navy radar vessel and a World War Two warship collided with the bridge both on the self same day.
Antioch Bridge
The original Antioch Bridge was built in 1926 by Aven Hanford and Oscar Klatt, it was initially the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the inception it encountered problems, because of a design flaw 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 constructed and is now referred to as 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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