The second most recognizable architectural design in the United States after the legendary Statue of Liberty is Golden Gate Bridge. It serves as the junction of the city of San Francisco and the Marine Peninsula over the Golden Gate Strait of the same name. You can safely call it the front gate of the city.
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is considered the main symbol and business card. From the city itself, the bridge is almost invisible. And to enjoy a stunningly beautiful picture, you need to go to him in the early morning.
The idea of building a suspension bridge was proposed by engineer Joseph Strauss. They were interested in his project, although few believed that such a bridge could be built at all. Joseph, along with his companion, Irving Morrow, contacted various organizations with drawings and mathematical calculations in their hands, trying to prove the possibility of building such a structure. Only in 1933, the new President of America F. Roosevelt showed interest in the project, and the construction of a bridge across a wide strait began.
Construction was like in very difficult conditions. Winds, waves, frequent fogs prevented the erection of supports, the pulling of wire ropes, the installation of bridge spans. Not without accidents.
In 4 years the construction was completely completed, and the bridge was ready for use. All of his metal structures were coated with a special orange-red paint with an anti-corrosion effect, which makes it really seem gold. Until now, the state of the bridge has been tirelessly monitored, its parts affected by corrosion are being repaired, supports and other parts that are exposed to moist sea air are constantly tinted.
In May 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge became accessible for movement. On the day of the grand opening, E. Roosevelt drove the first one in the limousine , and more than 200 thousand pedestrians walked along. Only the next day traffic was open for cars.
The Golden Gate is a bridge with a length of 1970 m and a width of 1280 m. The height of its metal supports is 230 m, which creates an unhindered passage for ships constantly coming to the city of fogs. There are 6 lanes for traffic, there are bike paths and paths for pedestrians. Amazing views of the city and the bay open from the observation platforms, and if you look from top to bottom, through the thick of fog and clouds, you get an extraordinary sense of flight or soaring.
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco's most important traffic routes. Today it is able to pass more than 100 thousand cars daily, but their speed should not exceed 72 km / h. Ambulances and pedestrians can travel across the bridge for free, but motorists will have to pay a fare.
The sad fact is that a little time after the construction of the bridge was completed, the first suicide attempt took place on it. From that moment, the number of people trying to end their lives with the help of this grandiose and world-famous building has been growing rapidly.
The Golden Gate Bridge in the city of San Francisco is a recognized ingenious engineering creation, because it is not by chance that it is considered a wonder of the world created by human hands.