There is no question that San Francisco bridges are some of the most formidable and elaborate bridges in the US. Bridges in San Francisco are famous for many various 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 outstanding bridges that San Francisco has to offer.
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 presently the longest bridge in the bay area and it ranks as among the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When they Hayward Bridge was first built in 1929, it was only 2 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
This unique first of a kind structure is basically a tunnel plus two bridges that connect the eastern side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. The bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction kicked off 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 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 architect 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 of the cables 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 tangible to ships in the fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that ever tried a safety net for the safety of the workers 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 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 thought to be hit by ships but has never had to close for repairs due to it. In fact a navy radar vessel and a World War 2 warship collided with the bridge both on the self same day.
Antioch Bridge
The initial 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 beginning it was problematic, 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 assembled and is now referred to as 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 presently the longest bridge in the bay area and it ranks as among the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When they Hayward Bridge was first built in 1929, it was only 2 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
This unique first of a kind structure is basically a tunnel plus two bridges that connect the eastern side of San Francisco and the western side of Oakland. The bridge was designed by Charles Purcell with construction kicked off 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 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 architect 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 of the cables 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 tangible to ships in the fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that ever tried a safety net for the safety of the workers 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 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 thought to be hit by ships but has never had to close for repairs due to it. In fact a navy radar vessel and a World War 2 warship collided with the bridge both on the self same day.
Antioch Bridge
The initial 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 beginning it was problematic, 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 assembled and is now referred to 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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