FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the Golden Gate Bridge
BRIDGE HISTORY AND CONSTRUCTIONWhy the name "Golden Gate"?
How long did it take to build the bridge?
When did the Golden Gate Bridge open?
How many people worked on the Bridge during its construction?
Were hard hats used during construction?
How many workers died during construction and what were their names?
What is the Halfway-to-Hell Club?
What would it cost to build the Golden Gate Bridge today?How many rivets are in each tower of the Golden Gate Bridge?
What kind of lighting is on the Golden Gate Bridge?
What is the poem written by Joseph B. Strauss upon completion of building the Bridge?
On opening day in 1937, how did the San Francisco Chronicle refer to the Golden Gate Bridge?
Where was the steel fabricated for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge?
How can I find out if my relative worked on the Golden Gate Bridge?
What construction dedication/memorial plaques are posted on the Bridge?
Does the Golden Gate Bridge have the world's longest suspension span?
Additional information on Bridge construction
PAINTING AND MAINTAINING THE BRIDGE
Why is the Golden Gate Bridge painted international orange?
Why isn't the Golden Gate Bridge painted gold?
Is the Golden Gate Bridge painted from end-to-end each year?
How often is the Golden Gate Bridge painted?
How many ironworkers and painters maintain the bridge?What are the original rivets replaced with when they become corroded?
Additional information on caretaking of the Bridge
TOLL AND TRAFFIC INFORMATION
Has the Golden Gate Bridge ever been closed?
Why was the toll increased to $5.00 in 2002?
How many vehicles have crossed the Golden Gate Bridge?
When did the bridge experience its highest and lowest volumes of traffic?
Why does the Golden Gate Bridge use reversible lanes?
What about one-way toll collection, when was it instituted?
When did electronic toll collection become available on the Golden Gate Bridge?What are the carpool hours on the Golden Gate Bridge?
Why are 3 people required for a carpool and during what hours?
Additional information on toll and traffic data
MISCELLANEOUS
Is there anything special about the Golden Gate Bridge, like the shape, that influences the fog?
Is the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District a public agency?
How many people attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge?
What did the bricks cost that are in the walkway on the southeast side of the Bridge?What movies include the Golden Gate Bridge?
WHY THE NAME GOLDEN GATE?
The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The strait is approximately three-miles long by one-mile wide with currents ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 knots. It is generally accepted that the strait was named "Chrysopylae", or Golden Gate, by John C. Fremont, Captain, topographical Engineers of the U.S. Army circa 1846. It reminded him of a harbor in Instanbul named Chrysoceras or Golden Horn.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO BUILD THE BRIDGE?
Just over four years. Construction commenced on January 5, 1933 and the Bridge was open to vehicular traffic on May 28, 1937.
WHEN DID THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE OPEN?
The dream of spanning the Golden Gate Strait had been around for well over a century before the Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic on May 28, 1937. Pedestrian Day was held on May 27, 1937.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WORKED ON THE BRIDGE DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION?
We do not have the exact employment figures. The Bridge was built by 10 different prime contractors and their subcontractors. These contractors are no longer in business and our agency did not have the employment records.
WERE HARD HATS USED DURING CONSTRUCTION?
Yes they were and here is how they came to be. The E.D. Bullard Company was founded in 1898 in San Francisco, CA, where the firm manufactured equipment for miners in western states. Many years later when Bullard's son, Edward W. Bullard (1899-1963), returned from World War I, he applied his experience with Doughboy army helmets in designing protective headgear for miners, and soon after, for the construction industry. E.W. Bullard's original 1919 "Hard-Boiled Hat" was manufactured out of steamed canvas, glue and black paint and included a suspension device. It was considered the first "hard hat," which revolutionized construction and mine worker safety. During construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bullard adapted his hats for bridge workers. E.D. Bullard Co., Inc. remains a family-owned business and continues to produce innovative products for construction and public safety from its headquarters in Cynthiana, Ky.
HOW MANY WORKERS DIED DURING CONSTRUCTION AND WHAT WERE THEIR NAMES?
Eleven men. Until February 17, 1937, there had been only one fatality, setting a new all-time record in a field where one man killed for every million dollars spent had been the norm. On February 17, ten more men lost their lives when a section of scaffold carrying twelve men fell through the safety net.
October 21, 1936: Kermit Moore
February 17, 1937: O.A. Anderson; Chris Anderson; William Bass; O. Desper; Fred Dümmatzen; Terence Hallinan; Eldridge Hillen; Charles Lindros; Jack Norman; and Louis Russell.
WHAT'S THE HALFWAY-TO-HELL CLUB?
The most conspicuous precaution was the safety net, suspended under the floor of the Bridge from end to end. During construction, the net saved the lives of 19 men who became known as the "Half-Way-to-Hell Club."
WHAT WOULD IT COST TO BUILD THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TODAY?
The cost to construct a new Golden Gate Bridge would be approximately $1.2 billion in 2003 dollars. The total price depends on a many factors including the extent of the environmental reviews and the cost of labor and materials.
HOW MANY RIVETS ARE THERE IN EACH GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TOWER?
There are approximately 600,000 rivets in each tower.
WHAT IS THE POEM ON THE BRIDGE WRITTEN BY JOSEPH B. STRAUSS?
Upon completion of building the Golden Gate Bridge in May 1937, Chief Engineer Joseph B. Strauss wrote a poem entitled "The Mighty Task is Done."
ON OPENING DAY IN 1937, HOW DID THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE REFER TO THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
A thirty-five million dollar steel harp!
WHERE WAS THE STEEL FABRICATED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
The fabricated steel used in the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was manufactured by Bethlehem Steel in plants in Trenton, New Jersey and Sparrows Point, Maryland and in plants in three Pennsylvania towns: Bethlehem, Pottstown, and Steelton. The steel was loaded, in sections, onto rail cars, taken to Philadelphia and shipped through the Panama Canal to San Francisco. The shipment of the steel was timed to coincide with the construction of the bridge.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF MY RELATIVE WORKED ON THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, ten prime contractors and various subcontractors were used. Not all of them kept accurate records of the people they employed. All ten prime contractors are no longer in business, and therefore employment records are not available (to our knowledge). The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is unable to identify individuals who contributed to the building of the bridge.
WHAT CONSTRUCTION DEDICATION/MEMORIAL PLAQUES ARE POSTED ON THE BRIDGE?
There is a plaque on the south face of the south tower that acknowledges the names of the Officers, Past Officers, Directors, Past Directors, Engineering Staff and Contractors involved in the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. There is also a memorial plaque at the southern entrance to the west sidewalk that acknowledges the eleven men killed while building the Golden Gate Bridge.
Click on icons below for largest image
 construction plaque |
 memorial plaque |
DOES THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE HAVE THE WORLD'S LONGEST SUSPENSION SPAN?
Not any more. The 4,200 foot long suspension span of the Golden Gate Bridge was the 
longest span in the world from the time of its construction in 1937 until New York City's Verrazano Narrows Bridge was opened on November 21, 1964. It is 60 feet longer than the Golden Gate Bridge. The Verrazano was the longest single span bridge until July 17, 1981, when the Humber Bridge in England, spanning the Humber River, was opened for traffic with a main span of 4,626 feet.
Today, both the Great Belt East Bridge in Denmark (main span of 5,328 feet) and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan (main span of 6,532 feet) have main span lengths which exceed that of the Humber Bridge. The table below shows the relative suspension bridges in comparison.
SUSPENSION BRIDGES |
Main Span Length* | Year Opened | |
| Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Japan | 6,532 feet | 1,991 meters | 1998 |
| Great Belt East Bridge, Denmark | 5,328 feet | 1,624 meters | 1997 |
| Humber Bridge, England | 4,626 feet | 1,410 meters | 1981 |
| Jiangyin Yangtze River Bridge, China | 4,544 feet | 1,385 meters | 1999 |
| Tsing Ma Bridge, China | 4,518 feet | 1,377 meters | 1997 |
| Verrazano Narrows Bridge, New York | 4,260 feet | 1,299 meters | 1964 |
| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco | 4,200 feet | 1,280 meters | 1937 |
| High Coast Bridge, Sweden | 3,970 feet | 1,210 meters | 1997 |
| Mackinac Straits Bridge, Michigan | 3,800 feet | 1,158 meters | 1957 |
| Minami Bisan-Seto Bridge, Japan | 3,609 feet | 1,100 meters | 1988 |
| Second Bosphorous , Turkey | 3,576 feet | 1,090 meters | 1992 |
| First Bosphorous, Turkey | 3,523 feet | 1,074 meters | 1973 |
| George Washington Bridge, New York | 3,500 feet | 1,067 meters | 1931 |
| *Main Span length refers to the suspension portion of the bridge which hangs between the two main towers. | |||
WHY IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED INTERNATIONAL ORANGE?
The Golden Gate Bridge has always been painted orange vermilion, deemed "International Orange." Rejecting carbon black and steel gray, Consulting Architect Irving Morrow selected the distinctive orange color because it blends well with the span's natural setting as it is a warm color consistent with the warm colors of the land masses in the setting as distinct from the cool colors of the sky and sea. It also provides enhanced visibility for passing ships. If the U.S. Navy had its way, the Bridge might have been painted black and yellow stripes to assure even greater visibility for passing ships.
Many people ask how to obtain International Orange Paint - it's easy-your
paint store can mix it with the following information:
The PMS code is 173 or the CMYK colors are: C= Cyan: 0%, M =Magenta: 69%, Y
=Yellow: 100%, K = Black: 6%
WHY ISN'T THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED GOLD?
Actually, the term Golden Gate refers to the Golden Gate Strait which is
the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The strait is approximately
three-miles long by one-mile wide with currents ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 knots.
It is
generally accepted that the strait was named "Chrysopylae" or Golden Gate by
Army Captain John C. Fremont, circa 1846. It is said it reminded him of a harbor in
Istanbul named Chrysoceras or Golden Horn.
IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE PAINTED FROM END-TO-END EACH YEAR?
No. Painting the Golden Gate Bridge is an ongoing task and the primary
maintenance job. The paint protects the Bridge from the high salt content in the air which
rusts and corrodes the steel components.
HOW OFTEN IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
PAINTED?
Many misconceptions exist about how often the Bridge is painted.
Some
say once every seven years, others say from end-to-end each year. Actually, the Bridge was
painted when it was originally built. For the next 27 years, only touch up was required.
By 1965, advancing corrosion sparked a program to remove the original paint and replace it
with an inorganic zinc silicate primer and acrylic emulsion topcoat. The program was
completed in 1995. The Bridge will continue to require routine touch up painting on an
on-going basis.
HOW MANY IRONWORKERS AND
PAINTERS MAINTAIN THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
Currently, a revered and rugged group of 17 Ironworkers and 38 Painters battle wind, sea air and fog, often suspended high above the Gate, to repair corroding steel. Ironworkers replace corroding steel and rivets with high-strength steel bolts, make small fabrications for use on the Bridge, and assist Painters with their rigging. Ironworkers also remove plates and bars to provide access for Painters to the interiors of the columns and chords that make up the Bridge. Painters prepare all Bridge surfaces and repaint all corroded areas.
WHAT ARE THE ORIGINAL RIVETS REPLACED WITH WHEN THEY BECOME CORRODED?
Since 1970, as various construction projects and painting projects occur across the Bridge, the original rivets are being replaced with ASTM A-325 high-strength bolts of equal diameter. In the early 1970s, corroded rivets were replaced with ASTM A-325 high-strength bolts dipped in organic zinc rich primer prior to installation. When galvanized ASTM A-325 bolts became available in the mid-1970s, corroded rivets have been replaced with galvanized high-strength bolts.
When installing high strength galvanized bolts, they have to be pre-tensioned a certain amount so they “clamp” the connection together rather than “pin it” together. Using a predetermined torque value can result in being either over or under the required pre-tension depending on the roughness of the contact surfaces of the turning elements. Using the “turn of the nut” method sidesteps the potential over or under pre-tensioning problem, but it varies depending on the length of the bolt. So, what is normally done is that workers establish the “turn of the nut” rotation and torque value based on the specific length of a lot of bolts under clean conditions. They then tighten it by “turn of the nut” method and check it with a torque wrench that is calibrated first to the specific lot of bolts being installed.
HAS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE EVER BEEN CLOSED?
Yes, the Golden Gate Bridge has been closed due to weather conditions only three times: As gusting winds reached 69 miles per hour on December 1, 1951, the Bridge was closed for three hours. On December 23, 1982, high winds of up to 70 miles per hour closed the Bridge for almost two hours. The Bridge easily withstood the gusts. On December 3, 1983, once again high winds closed the Bridge for the longest period in its history, 3 hours and 27 minutes. Wind gusts reached 75 miles per hour, but again the Bridge suffered no structural damage.
The Bridge was closed very briefly on two separate occasions for visiting dignitaries President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Charles de Gaulle of France. It has also been closed briefly in the middle of the night for construction activities.
WHY WAS THE TOLL INCREASED TO $5.00 IN 2002?
For over ten years, the Golden Gate Bridge toll remained a constant $3. During that time, Bay Area inflation eroded the buying power of those dollars by 3.4 percent annually, while fuel, insurance, and other non-directly controllable expenses increased by an average of 5.5 percent annually. Labor costs increased approximately 5.3 percent annually and the federal government¹s funding of key capital projects, such as the seismic retrofit, decreased substantially. Now 65 years old, the Bridge requires more significant rehabilitation to maintain structural integrity than in previous years. These factors, combined with the current economic recession, security challenges and an overall drop in travel, accelerated the need for local funds.
Currently, 50 percent of bus and ferry operations are funded by Bridge tolls, with another 30 percent coming from transit fares, and the remainder being met by federal and state subsidies. While many Bay Area counties have enacted local sales taxes to support public transit, Marin and Sonoma counties have not. Further, the Golden Gate Bridge District does not have the authority to levy taxes. Therefore, the use of surplus Bridge toll revenue has been the only local means available to support financial shortfalls of the operation of the District's bus and ferry services.Responding to the need for local funds, the Board of Directors authorized staff to conduct an analysis of the potential environmental and economic impacts of 12 different toll options including a "no change" option. On May 23, 2002 the Board selected three of the options for further review. Staff sought public input on the options and conducted a public outreach program including open houses, presentations, and a public hearing. After considering all public comments, the Board of Directors voted on June 27, 2002 to increase the cash toll to $5 and the FasTrak toll to $4. Motorcycles and carpools are free during carpool hours.
HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE CROSSED THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
As of June 2005, 1,779,032,891 vehicles had crossed the Golden Gate Bridge (includes northbound and southbound) since opening in 1937.
WHEN DID THE BRIDGE EXPERIENCE ITS HIGHEST AND LOWEST VOLUMES OF TRAFFIC?
LOWEST: The low On Monday, January 4, 1982, a devastating rain storm struck the San Francisco Bay Area. Earth slides and flooding covered the highway and roads north of the Bridge. Two days later on Wednesday, January 6, only 3,921 southbound vehicles crossed the Bridge. This compares to the average daily southbound count of 37,936 for January 1982.
HIGHEST: The high During the evening commute on October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake jarred the Bay Area with a force measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale. The Golden Gate Bridge withstood, undamaged, the most devastating quake to strike the Bay Area since 1906. During this time of myriad traffic problems, extra bus and ferry trips were added to help smooth the commute as a flood of 30,000 to 40,000 drivers were diverted from the East Bay to Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge due to the failure of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge. On October 27, 1989, an all-time record of 162,414 vehicles crossed the Bridge north and southbound.
WHY DOES THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE USE REVERSIBLE LANES?
Reversible lanes were inaugurated on the Bridge on October 29, 1963. Their use greatly aids the flow of traffic during the heavy morning and evening commute hours and during weekend tourist periods. The Bridge has a total of six lanes. At any given time the number of lanes northbound or southbound may be adjusted. Bright yellow lane markers are manually placed in "sockets" in the Bridge roadway to clearly identify the San Francisco outbound lanes (northbound) and San Francisco inbound lanes (southbound). During the morning commute there are four lanes of traffic southbound to San Francisco and two lanes northbound to Marin. During the afternoon commute there are four lanes northbound to Marin and two lanes southbound to San Francisco.
WHAT ABOUT ONE-WAY TOLL COLLECTION, WHEN WAS IT INSTITUTED?
In October 19, 1968, the Golden Gate Bridge became the first major bridge in the world to offer one-way toll collection. The system proved so successful it has since been instituted on many bridges throughout the world.
WHAT ARE THE CARPOOL HOURS ON THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
In April 1976, the District initiated toll free passage on the Golden Gate Bridge for vehicles with three or more occupants during peak commute traffic hours. The free CAR POOL hours, weekdays only, are from 5:00-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m.
WHY ARE 3 PEOPLE REQUIRED FOR A CARPOOL and DURING WHAT HOURS?
In April 1976, the Bridge District initiated toll free passage for motorcycles and vehicles with THREE or more people on weekdays except holidays from 5 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. Policy requires three or more people for two key reasons: to ease traffic congestion and to remain within the budgetary requirements of the Bridge District.
IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, LIKE THE SHAPE, THAT INFLUENCES THE FOG?
"Advection fog" forms when humid air from the Pacific Ocean swoops over the chilly California current flowing parallel to the coast. The fog hugs the ground and then the warm, moist air condenses as it moves across the bay or land. This is common near any coastline. The Bridge has an influence in directing the fog as it pushes up and pours down around the Bridge. Sometimes, high pressure squashes it close to the ground. By the way, the color of the bridge is International Orange, and was chosen in part because of its visibility in the fog.
IS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT A PUBLIC AGENCY?
Yes. The "Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District Act" was enacted by the California State Legislature on May 25, 1923. The enabling legislation gave counties the right to organize as a bridge district and borrow money, issue bonds, construct a bridge and collect tolls. On December 4, 1928, the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District was formed as the entity to design, construct and finance the Golden Gate Bridge. The District consists of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Del Norte and parts of Mendocino and Napa counties. On November 10, 1969, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 584 authorizing the District to develop a transportation facility plan for implementing a mass transportation program in the Golden Gate Corridor. This was to include any and all forms of transit, including ferry. At that time, the word "Transportation" was added to the District name.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTENDED THE 50TH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
The dream of spanning the Golden Gate Strait had been around for well over a century before the Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic on May 28, 1937. On Sunday, May 24, 1987, this dream come true was celebrated as the Golden Gate Bridge turned fifty. With great fanfare, people from all over the world came to pay homage to the Bridge, become part of an historical celebration and create lifelong memories. The day began as "Bridgewalk 87", a reenactment of "Pedestrian Day 37". It is estimated that nearly 300,000 people surged onto the roadway. By 11:00 a.m. the Bridge was cleared for a commemorative vintage automobile motorcade. As a token of appreciation to the thousands of motorists who use the Bridge each day, the Board of Directors suspended toll collection for the day.
To review the abstract from the Center for Design Informatics at the Harvard Design School evaluating stresses placed on the Bridge during the 50th Anniversary event, click here.
To purchase a photo of this event, click here.
WHAT DID THE BRICKS COST THAT ARE IN THE WALKWAY ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF THE BRIDGE?
As part of the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1987, a walkway comprised of personalized bricks was constructed at the southeast side of the Bridge in the visitor area, just north of the Strauss Statue. Initially, prices for the bricks were $32 for a basic brick with a name inscribed, $43 for a message brick, $54 for a signature brick, and $75 for logo/captioned brick. In August 1988, several prices were raised: $35 for a basic brick, $49 for a message brick, and $59 for a signature brick. The brick program was implemented in March 1988 and 7,416 bricks were sold.
WHAT MOVIES INCLUDE THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE?
A number of major motion pictures have included the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop or contain scenes filmed on the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is a small sampling:
The Core (2003): To save the Earth from catastrophe, they must drill down to the core and set it spinning again. The Golden Gate Bridge comes down along the way.
Boys and Girls (2000): A friendship is put to the test when two best friends end up together. The Golden Gate Bridge plays a part in that.
Interview with a Vampire (1994): A vampire tells his epic life story, with a dramatic ending on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991): The crews of the Enterprise and the Excelsior must stop a plot to prevent a peace treaty between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. The Star Fleet Academy is located at the Golden Gate Bridge.
A View to a Kill (1985): James Bond must stop a mad industrialist who plans to destroy Silicon Valley. There is lots of dangling at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge tower with helicopter rescue scene.
Vertigo (1958): A story about a San Francisco detective and his psychological troubles with fear of heights and obsession over a woman. They spend some time at the Golden Gate Bridge.
It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955): A giant octopus destroys the Golden Gate Bridge and much of the Embarcadero in San Francisco.