There is no doubt that San Francisco bridges are some of the most spectacular and complicated bridges in the United States. Bridges in San Francisco are renowned for many alternative 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 unique and outstanding bridges that San Francisco has to show off.
Hayward Bridge
Originally referred to as the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward Bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At 7 miles long, it is at present the longest bridge in the bay area and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges globally. The original bridge was built in 1929, the Hayward was just two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the bridge was reconstructed from concrete trestle spans and steel girders.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is essentially two bridges and a tunnel that connect the eastern side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. The Oakoland Bay Bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction starting 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 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 completed in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The total weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each cable having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of the thick cable wire. Most conspicuous though is the orange paint that was employed so the Golden Gate Bridge would be observable to ships in the thick San Francisco fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that ever tried a security net for the safety of the bridge 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 nick-named 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 never had to close down for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War 2 war ship collided with the bridge both on the exact same day.
Antioch Bridge
The original Antioch Bridge was built in 1926 by Aven Hanford and Oscar Klatt, it was the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the the start it was problematic, thanks to a design flaw 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 referred to as the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward Bridge connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At 7 miles long, it is at present the longest bridge in the bay area and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges globally. The original bridge was built in 1929, the Hayward was just two lanes with a vertical lift span over the shipping channel. In 1967, the bridge was reconstructed from concrete trestle spans and steel girders.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is essentially two bridges and a tunnel that connect the eastern side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. The Oakoland Bay Bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction starting 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 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 completed in 1937 setting the standard for future bridges. The total weight of the bridge is supported by two main cables, with each cable having 27,572 wires, equaling 80,000 miles of the thick cable wire. Most conspicuous though is the orange paint that was employed so the Golden Gate Bridge would be observable to ships in the thick San Francisco fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that ever tried a security net for the safety of the bridge 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 nick-named 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 never had to close down for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War 2 war ship collided with the bridge both on the exact same day.
Antioch Bridge
The original Antioch Bridge was built in 1926 by Aven Hanford and Oscar Klatt, it was the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the the start it was problematic, thanks to a design flaw 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment