There is no question that San Francisco bridges are some of the most impressive and complicated bridges in the United States. Bridges in San Francisco are famous 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 notable bridges that San Francisco has to show off.
Hayward Bridge
Originally referred to as the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At 7 miles long, it is currently the longest bridge in the San Fran area and it ranks as one of the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When the Hayward Bridge was initially built in 1929, it was just 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
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is essentially a tunnel plus two bridges 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 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 San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island. 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 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 noticeable though is the orange paint that was employed so the Golden Gate Bridge would be visible to ships in the thick San Francisco fog. This is also the first bridge that ever tried a safety net for the safety of the employees 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. Notwithstanding it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been understood to be hit by ships but has not had to close for repairs due to it. In fact a navy radar vessel and a World War II war ship 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 actually the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the inception it had problems, due to 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 known as the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge.
Hayward Bridge
Originally referred to as the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At 7 miles long, it is currently the longest bridge in the San Fran area and it ranks as one of the top 25 longest bridges on the planet. When the Hayward Bridge was initially built in 1929, it was just 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
The first of its kind, the Oakland Bay Bridge is essentially a tunnel plus two bridges 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 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 San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island. 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 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 noticeable though is the orange paint that was employed so the Golden Gate Bridge would be visible to ships in the thick San Francisco fog. This is also the first bridge that ever tried a safety net for the safety of the employees 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. Notwithstanding it having a clearance of 185 feet this bridge has been understood to be hit by ships but has not had to close for repairs due to it. In fact a navy radar vessel and a World War II war ship 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 actually the first toll bridge over the San Francisco tributary. But from the inception it had problems, due to 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 known 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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