There's no doubt that San Francisco bridges are the most formidable and complicated bridges in the US. Bridges in San Francisco are renowned for many different reasons, if it is for their size or the mark they have made in history. Here is a few of the most unusual and outstanding bridges that San Francisco has to give.
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 San Francisco and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges in the world. 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 re-made from concrete trestle spans and multiple steel girders.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is actually a tunnel and two bridges that connect the eastern 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 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 finished 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 the thick cable wire. Most noticeable though is the orange paint that was used so the Golden Gate Bridge would be tangible to ships in the fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that 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 thought to be hit by ships but hasn't had to close for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War II battleship collided with the bridge both on the same day.
Antioch Bridge
The first 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 the start it encountered problems, because of a design issue many ships collide into its narrow opening and in 1970 the lift span stopped working. 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 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 San Francisco and it ranks as amongst the top 25 longest bridges in the world. 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 re-made from concrete trestle spans and multiple steel girders.
Oakland Bay Bridge
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is actually a tunnel and two bridges that connect the eastern 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 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 finished 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 the thick cable wire. Most noticeable though is the orange paint that was used so the Golden Gate Bridge would be tangible to ships in the fog. The Golden Gate is the first Bridge that 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 thought to be hit by ships but hasn't had to close for repairs due to it. Actually a navy radar vessel and a World War II battleship collided with the bridge both on the same day.
Antioch Bridge
The first 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 the start it encountered problems, because of a design issue many ships collide into its narrow opening and in 1970 the lift span stopped working. 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 been interested in San francisco bridges for a while. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more information, feel free to visit his site.
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