San Francisco Bridges to Visit

By John Feyd There is no doubt that San Francisco bridges are the most spectacular and intricate bridges in the U. S.. Bridges in San Francisco are renowned for many various 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 original and notable bridges that San Francisco has to give. Hayward Bridge Originally called the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge, the Hayward connects the San Francisco Bay with the East Bay. At seven miles long, it is at present the longest bridge in the San Fran area and it ranks as one of the top 25 longest bridges globally. When the Hayward Bridge was initially built in 1929, it was only 2 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 This unique first of a kind structure is basically two bridges and a tunnel that connect the eastern side of San Francisco and Oakland. It was designed by Charles Purcell with construction starting 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 obvious though is the orange paint that was employed so the Golden Gate Bridge would be visible to ships in the thick San Fran fog. This is also the first bridge that ever tried a security-net for the safety of the employees 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 popularly called 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 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 II battleship collided with the bridge both on the exact same day. Antioch Bridge The initial 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 was problematic, because of 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 made and is now called the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge.