Golden Gate Photo - Bay Bridge Series Gallery
Fine Art Photography of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in San Francisco Bay, California.
The idea of creating a span connecting San Francisco to Oakland dates back to 1872. But it wasn't until 1934, the same year the Golden Gate Bridge construction began, that work commenced on one of the most traveled bridges in the world. It took 3 years and was completed 6 months ahead of schedule. The bridge consumed more than 6% of the total U.S. steel output in 1933. It was opened to vehicular traffic on November 12, 1936. The bridge was built entirely using public funds (government loan) for $77.6 million, which were paid off with tolls within twenty years. Twelve workers lost their lives during the construction of the bridge. Today, an average of 270,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day.
The suspension portion of the bridge (between San Francisco and Yerba Buena Island) spans 9,260 feet (2,822 meters) and crosses over the deepest section of the bay. The caissons upon which the suspension towers are built, were sunk through more than 100 feet (30 meters) of bay mud until it rested on bedrock 220 feet (67 meters) below the water at low tide. The portion of the bridge spanning from Yerba Buena Island to Oakland is a cantilever section constructed entirely of steel girders (no cables). It spans 10,176 feet (3,102 meters). Coring through Yerba Buena Island is the largest bore tunnel in the world at 76 feet (23 meters) wide, 58 feet (18 meters) high and 1,700 feet (546 meters) long.
During the surface-wave magnitude 7.1 Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, an upper section of the cantilever portion of the bridge collapsed, closing the bridge for one month. This resulted in the decision to construct a new bridge to replace the Cantilever section. Discussions are ongoing as to the design and schedule of the replacement structure. The late local journalist Herb Caen once affectionately referred to the bridge as "The Car-Strangled Spanner".
Sun Rays over the Bay Print No. A01-42-11 |
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Spider Lightning and the Bay Bridge Print No. A99-53-2. |
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Twin Peaks View Print No. A00-39-9 |
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The Fog Rolls In Print No. A00-12-11 |
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Cantilever Reflection Print No. A01-21-4 |
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Bay Bridge Fireworks Print No. A00-11-5 |
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