The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Golden Gate strait, connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. It links San Francisco, California, to Marin County and carries both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, as well as pedestrian and bicycle traffic via U.S. Bicycle Route 95. Celebrated as one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the bridge is an iconic symbol of San Francisco and California recognized worldwide.
1916: James Wilkins Proposes Golden Gate Bridge
In 1916, former engineering student James Wilkins proposed the idea of the Golden Gate Bridge in a San Francisco Bulletin article. San Francisco's City Engineer estimated the cost to be $100 million, which was impractical for the time. Joseph Strauss, an ambitious engineer, responded with a design that could be built for $17 million.
1917: Golden Gate Bridge Name First Used
In 1917, the name 'Golden Gate Bridge' was first used when the project was discussed by San Francisco's city engineer M.M. O'Shaughnessy and Joseph Strauss.
1920: Golden Gate Ferry Company Takes Over Service
In 1920, the Golden Gate Ferry Company took over the ferry service that was initially started by the Sausalito Land and Ferry Company in 1867. This company eventually became part of the largest ferry operation in the world.
1923: Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District Act Passed
In 1923, the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District Act was passed by the state legislature, creating a special district to design, build, and finance the bridge. Most counties along the North Coast joined the district, except Humboldt County, which opposed the bridge's construction and the traffic it would generate.
May 1924: Federal Land Approved for Bridge Construction
In May 1924, Colonel Herbert Deakyne held a hearing and approved the transfer of federal land for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. The approval was given to the 'Bridging the Golden Gate Association' and both San Francisco and Marin Counties, pending further bridge plans by Joseph Strauss.
1928: Golden Gate Bridge District Incorporated
In 1928, the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District was incorporated as the official entity to design, construct, and finance the Golden Gate Bridge.
1929: Wall Street Crash Affects Bridge Funding
Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the Golden Gate Bridge District was unable to raise funds for the bridge's construction, leading to the approval of a bond measure in 1930.
1929: Southern Pacific-Golden Gate Ferries Formation
In 1929, the Golden Gate Ferry Company merged with the Southern Pacific Railroad's ferry system to become the Southern Pacific-Golden Gate Ferries, Ltd. This operation became the largest ferry service in the world, catering to railroad passengers and vehicles.
November 1930: Bond Measure Approved for Bridge Construction
In November 1930, a $30 million bond measure was approved by votes in the counties affected by the bridge. This approval came after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 had left the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District unable to raise construction funds.
November 1931: Charles Ellis Fired from Golden Gate Bridge Project
In November 1931, Charles Ellis was fired by Joseph Strauss ostensibly for wasting money on telegrams. Ellis continued to work on the project unpaid and turned in ten volumes of hand calculations. Despite his significant contributions, Ellis received no credit during his lifetime.
1932: Bank of America Buys Bridge Bonds
In 1932, Amadeo Giannini, founder of Bank of America, agreed to buy the entire bond issue for the bridge's construction to help the local economy. This move allowed the Golden Gate Bridge project to proceed.
January 5, 1933: Construction Begins
Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began on January 5, 1933. The project, which cost more than $35 million ($610 million in 2023 dollars), was completed ahead of schedule and $1.3 million under budget (equivalent to $28.9 million today).
1933: Doyle Drive Construction
The former elevated approach to the Golden Gate Bridge, known as Doyle Drive, was constructed in 1933. Named after Frank P. Doyle, the highway carried about 91,000 vehicles each weekday between downtown San Francisco and the North Bay.
February 17, 1937: Scaffold Collapse
On February 17, 1937, a scaffold secured by undersized bolts fell, resulting in the deaths of ten men. Despite the innovative use of safety nets, which saved nineteen lives during the project, the collapse highlighted the risks involved in construction.
May 1937: Pedestrian Toll Implementation
From May 1937, pedestrians were charged a toll of 10 cents for access to the Golden Gate Bridge via turnstiles on the sidewalks.
May 27, 1937: Bridge Opening
The Golden Gate Bridge officially opened to the public on May 27, 1937. This marked the completion of a major engineering project and the beginning of a new era in transportation and connectivity for the region.
1937: Golden Gate Bridge Opens to Public
In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public. The bridge, which had been a popular idea since the late 19th century, finally became a reality with Joseph Strauss serving as chief engineer. Leon Moisseiff, Irving Morrow, and Charles Ellis also made significant contributions to its design. Since its opening, the bridge has undergone various retrofits and improvements.
1937: Opening Celebration and Events
In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge's opening celebration began on May 27 and lasted for a week. The event included a pedestrian crossing, a motorcade, and cultural activities. A statue of Joseph Strauss was later moved near the bridge in 1955.
1937: Ferry Service Price Reduction
In 1937, the fare for the ferry crossing between San Francisco and Marin County was reduced to compete with the newly opened Golden Gate Bridge. The crossing took approximately 20 minutes and cost $1.00 per vehicle prior to the price reduction.
1937: Golden Gate Bridge's World Records at Opening
When it opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. Its main span measured 4,200 feet, and its height was 746 feet. These records were held until 1964 and 1998, respectively.
1937: Opening of Golden Gate Bridge with Initial Toll
When the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937, the toll was set at 50 cents per car, equivalent to $10.6 in 2023, collected in each direction.
1938: Round House Café Completion
The Round House Café, an Art Deco design by Alfred Finnila, was completed in 1938. It has since become a popular starting point for tours and a notable feature of the Golden Gate Bridge area.
1940: Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
The collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 highlighted the vulnerabilities in suspension bridge design, influencing the retrofitting efforts on the Golden Gate Bridge in subsequent years.
1950: Reduction of Toll Rates
In 1950, the toll rate on the Golden Gate Bridge was reduced to 40 cents each way, equivalent to $5.07 in 2023, reflecting a decrease since its opening.
December 1, 1951: Windstorm Reveals Instabilities
On December 1, 1951, a windstorm revealed swaying and rolling instabilities in the Golden Gate Bridge, leading to its temporary closure. This event underscored the need for structural improvements.
1953: Bridge Retrofitting Begins
In 1953, the Golden Gate Bridge underwent retrofitting with lateral and diagonal bracing to improve its stability. This was a response to the instabilities revealed by the 1951 windstorm.
1954: Retrofitting Completed
By 1954, retrofitting of the Golden Gate Bridge with lateral and diagonal bracing was completed, ensuring better resistance to twisting and enhancing overall stability.
1955: Strauss Statue Relocation
In 1955, a statue of Joseph Strauss, the chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge, was relocated to a site near the bridge, commemorating his contributions to the iconic structure.
1955: Further Reduction of Toll Rates
In 1955, the toll rate on the Golden Gate Bridge was further reduced to 25 cents, which is equivalent to $2.84 in 2023.
June 1961: BART Feasibility Study
In June 1961, consultants hired by BART concluded that the Golden Gate Bridge's suspension section could support train tracks for the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, sparking ongoing debates about the feasibility of this plan.
July 1961: Engineering Disagreement
In July 1961, Clifford Paine, one of the bridge's consulting engineers, disagreed with the BART consultants' conclusion about the feasibility of running train tracks on the Golden Gate Bridge, leading to further analysis.
January 1962: Engineering Review Board Appointment
In January 1962, the Golden Gate Bridge's board of directors appointed an engineering review board to analyze conflicting reports on the feasibility of running BART on the bridge, following continued debates.
April 1962: Final Feasibility Report
In April 1962, the engineering review board concluded that running BART on the Golden Gate Bridge was not advisable, bringing an end to the conflicting reports and debates that began the previous year.
1964: Golden Gate Bridge Loses Longest Suspension Bridge Title
In 1964, the Golden Gate Bridge lost its title as the longest suspension bridge in the world, a title it had held since its opening in 1937.
1964: Longest Suspension Bridge Span
Until 1964, the Golden Gate Bridge held the record for the longest suspension bridge main span in the world at 4,200 feet. Its main span length has since been surpassed by eighteen bridges, but it remains the second-longest in the Americas.
1968: Initial Separation of Opposing Traffic
From 1968 to 2015, opposing traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge was separated by small, plastic pylons, during which time there were 16 fatalities from 128 head-on collisions.
1968: Conversion to Southbound-Only Toll Collection
In 1968, the Golden Gate Bridge began collecting tolls only from southbound traffic, with the toll amount reset to 50 cents, equivalent to $4.38 in 2023.
December 1970: End of Pedestrian Toll
Pedestrian tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge were discontinued in December 1970, ending the 10-cent charge for access via turnstiles.
1971: Retirement of Construction Bonds
In 1971, the last of the construction bonds for the Golden Gate Bridge were retired, having raised $35 million in principal and nearly $39 million in interest entirely from bridge tolls.
August 1977: Students Climb Golden Gate Bridge
In August 1977, three students from California Polytechnic State University climbed the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge.
May 1981: Protest Against Offshore Oil Drilling
In May 1981, Dave Aguilar climbed the South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge to protest against offshore oil drilling.
December 23, 1982: Bridge Closure Due to High Winds
On December 23, 1982, the Golden Gate Bridge was closed due to high winds reaching 70 mph. This event marked one of the rare instances where the bridge was closed because of weather conditions.
1982: Bridge Deck Replacement Begins
In 1982, the Golden Gate Bridge began a major deck replacement project. The original concrete deck, which had suffered from corrosion and spalling, was replaced with a 40% lighter steel orthotropic deck over four years.
October 1, 1983: Speed Limit Reduction for Safety
On October 1, 1983, the speed limit on the Golden Gate Bridge was reduced from 50 to 45 mph to improve safety amid concerns over head-on collisions.
December 3, 1983: Another Weather-Related Bridge Closure
On December 3, 1983, the Golden Gate Bridge was closed once again due to wind gusts reaching 75 mph. This closure was one of the few times the bridge was shut down due to weather conditions.
1986: Deck Replacement Completed
By 1986, the Golden Gate Bridge's deck replacement project was completed. Over 401 nights, the bridge's deck was replaced without fully closing the roadway, marking the bridge's greatest engineering project since its construction.
1987: 50th Anniversary Celebration
In 1987, the Golden Gate Bridge's 50th anniversary celebration on May 24 attracted up to 1,000,000 people. The bridge became congested with roughly 300,000 pedestrians, causing the center span to flatten under the weight, though it was designed to flex in this manner.
1990: Switch to Acrylic Topcoats for Golden Gate Bridge
Since 1990, the Golden Gate Bridge has used acrylic topcoats instead of vinyl for air-quality reasons. This change was part of an ongoing maintenance program to ensure the bridge's longevity.
1991: Toll Rate Increase
In 1991, the toll rate on the Golden Gate Bridge was raised to $3.00, equivalent to $6.71 in 2023, as part of incremental toll increases.
1993: Tallest Suspension Bridge Towers
In 1993, the Golden Gate Bridge's towers, standing at 746 feet, were surpassed as the world's tallest on a suspension bridge by the Mezcala Bridge in Mexico. Prior to this, the Golden Gate Bridge held the record since its completion.
1995: Completion of Bridge Repainting Program
In 1995, the Golden Gate Bridge completed a program to strip the original lead-based paint and repaint it with zinc silicate primer and acrylic topcoats. The maintenance of the bridge's paintwork is now a continuous task performed by a team of 38 painters.
November 24, 1996: Environmental Protest Arrests
On November 24, 1996, environmentalists, including Woody Harrelson, were arrested after scaling the Golden Gate Bridge.
1997: Increase in Trespassing Fines
In 1997, a bill authored by Quentin Kopp and signed into law by Pete Wilson increased the maximum fine for trespassing on the bridge from $1,000 to $10,000 and doubled the maximum jail time to a year.
1998: Golden Gate Bridge Loses Tallest Suspension Bridge Title
In 1998, the Golden Gate Bridge lost its status as the tallest suspension bridge in the world, a title it had held since its opening in 1937.
1999: Golden Gate Bridge Ranked Fifth on America's Favorite Architecture List
In 1999, the Golden Gate Bridge was ranked fifth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects, acknowledging its iconic status and aesthetic appeal.
July 2001: Protest Against U.S. Navy Bombing
In July 2001, around 100 protesters gathered on the Golden Gate Bridge to demand an end to the U.S. Navy's bombing activities on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.
2002: Introduction of FasTrak Electronic Tolling
In 2002, the Golden Gate Bridge began accepting tolls via the FasTrak electronic toll collection system, with differing rates for FasTrak users and cash payers.
2003: Addition of Railings for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety
In 2003, railings were added between the walkways and traffic lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge to prevent bicyclists from falling into the roadway, enhancing safety for non-vehicular traffic.
March 2005: Funding Commitment for Movable Barrier Study
In March 2005, the Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors committed to funding a $2 million study required for the installation of a movable median barrier to enhance traffic safety.
November 2006: Corporate Sponsorship Program Proposal
In November 2006, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District proposed a corporate sponsorship program to address an $80 million operating deficit, promising no changes to the bridge's name or advertising on the bridge itself.
May 2007: Ellis Receives Posthumous Credit for Bridge Design
In May 2007, the Golden Gate Bridge District issued a formal report recognizing Charles Ellis for his major contributions to the design of the bridge. This acknowledgment came 70 years after the bridge's completion.
October 2007: Discontinuation of Sponsorship Proposal
In October 2007, the Board unanimously voted to discontinue the corporate sponsorship proposal and seek additional revenue through other means, likely a toll increase.
March 2008: Congestion Pricing Approval
In March 2008, the Golden Gate Bridge District board approved a resolution to start congestion pricing, charging higher tolls during peak hours to qualify for $158 million in federal transportation funds.
April 2008: Pro-Tibet Activists Scale Bridge
During the 2008 Tibetan unrest in April 2008, three pro-Tibet activists scaled the bridge's vertical cables to protest the arrival of the Olympic torch, resulting in the closure of a northbound lane.
August 2008: End of Congestion Pricing Program
In August 2008, transportation officials ended the congestion pricing program, opting for varying rates for metered parking along routes to the bridge instead.
2008: Weather-Related Bridge Closures
Until 2008, the Golden Gate Bridge had been closed due to weather conditions only three times: in 1951, 1982, and 1983. The bridge was designed to withstand winds of up to 68 mph.
2008: Toll Rate Increase Following Sponsorship Proposal
In 2008, following the discontinuation of the corporate sponsorship proposal, the toll rates on the Golden Gate Bridge were increased to $5 for FasTrak users and $6 for cash payers.
September 2009: Implementation of Congestion Toll
By September 2009, as a condition of receiving federal funds, the congestion toll was implemented on the Golden Gate Bridge.
December 2009: Construction Begins on Presidio Parkway
In December 2009, construction began on the $1 billion replacement of the elevated Doyle Drive, known as the Presidio Parkway. The existing road, dating back to 1933, was deemed vulnerable to earthquake damage and had a problematic 4-lane design.
January 2011: Toll Taker Elimination Decision
In January 2011, the Golden Gate District voted to eliminate all toll takers by 2012 in an effort to save $19.2 million over the next 10 years. The plan included transitioning to open road tolling.
May 2012: Demolition of Doyle Drive
On the weekend of April 27–30, 2012, the elevated Doyle Drive was demolished, and traffic was temporarily redirected to a part of the partially completed Presidio Parkway. As of May 2012, there were no plans to permanently rename the portion known as Doyle Drive.
May 27, 2012: 75th Anniversary Restrictions
On May 27, 2012, the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, officials decided not to allow uncontrolled pedestrian access due to additional law enforcement costs required since 9/11, contrasting with the 50th anniversary celebration's large pedestrian turnout.
2012: Round House Café Renovation
In 2012, the Round House Café, an Art Deco design by Alfred Finnila completed in 1938, was renovated. The adjacent tourist plaza was also updated, and a new official gift shop was added.
2012: Opening of Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, originally called the 'Bridge Pavilion,' opened in 2012 to coincide with the bridge's 75th anniversary. It features a gift shop, cafe, outdoor exhibits, and restroom facilities.
2012: Initial Completion Date for Seismic Retrofit
The seismic retrofit program for the Golden Gate Bridge was initially planned to be completed in 2012. The project aims to improve the bridge's ability to withstand significant earthquakes, reducing the risk of complete structural failure.
March 2013: Toll Taker Elimination
In March 2013, the Golden Gate District implemented the elimination of toll takers, initially planned for 2012, resulting in a revised cost savings of $19 million over eight years.
2013: Implementation of All-Electronic Tolling
In 2013, the Golden Gate Bridge transitioned to all-electronic tolling, allowing drivers to pay using FasTrak, license plate tolling, or online payments.
April 7, 2014: Toll Increase for FasTrak and Pay-by-Plate
On April 7, 2014, the toll for FasTrak users was increased from $5 to $6, and for drivers using license plate tolling or the one-time payment system, the toll was raised from $6 to $7.
January 11, 2015: Completion of Movable Median Barrier Installation
On January 11, 2015, a movable median barrier was installed on the Golden Gate Bridge to prevent head-on collisions. The installation followed a 45.5-hour closure, the longest in the bridge's history.
July 2015: Toll Increment Increase
In July 2015, the Golden Gate Transportation District increased tolls by 25 cents, with plans for further 25-cent increases each of the next three years.
2015: Completion of Presidio Parkway
On the weekend of July 9–12, 2015, traffic was switched onto the finished Presidio Parkway, completing the replacement of the old Doyle Drive. The new highway aimed to improve safety and accommodate higher traffic volumes.
January 20, 2017: Human Chain Protest
On January 20, 2017, thousands of people held hands in a human chain across the Golden Gate Bridge as Donald Trump took the oath of office.
April 2017: Installation of Suicide Barriers Begins
In April 2017, after years of debate and over 1,500 deaths, the installation of suicide barriers began on the Golden Gate Bridge. The project involved a stainless steel net extending 20 feet from the bridge, supported by structural steel 20 feet under the walkway. The construction was initially estimated to take four years and cost over $200 million.
May 2017: Seismic Retrofit Program Expected to Take Longer
As of May 2017, the seismic retrofit program for the Golden Gate Bridge, initially planned to be completed in 2012, was expected to take several more years. The $392 million program aims to improve the bridge's ability to withstand significant earthquakes with only minimal damage.
March 2019: Annual Toll Increase Plan
In March 2019, the Golden Gate Transportation District approved a plan to implement 35-cent annual toll increases through 2023, except for toll-by-plate, which would increase by 20 cents per year.
2019: Retrofitting Work Begins
As part of the retrofitting of the Golden Gate Bridge and the installation of the suicide barrier, starting in 2019, the railings on the west side of the pedestrian walkway were replaced with thinner, more flexible slats to improve the bridge's aerodynamic tolerance of high winds up to 100 mph.
June 6, 2020: Protest Against Police Brutality
On June 6, 2020, protesters shut down traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in a demonstration against police brutality following George Floyd's death, leading to a complete closure of the bridge.
June 2020: Golden Gate Bridge Produces Loud Hum
Starting in June 2020, reports were received of a loud hum heard across San Francisco and Marin County, produced by new railing slats on the Golden Gate Bridge when a strong west wind was blowing. The sound was predicted from wind tunnel tests but not included in the environmental impact report. The humming noise comprises various Aeolian tones arising from the wind blowing across the metal slats.
October 2020: Armenian-American March
In October 2020, approximately 5,000 Armenian-Americans marched across the Golden Gate Bridge to raise awareness about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and to urge the US government to halt arms shipments to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
June 2021: Climate Action March
In June 2021, activists from the Sunrise Movement marched over 250 miles, culminating in a demonstration on the Golden Gate Bridge to advocate for climate action and support for President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan.
September 30, 2021: Immigration Reform Protest
On September 30, 2021, protesters blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, urging Senate Democrats to address immigration reform and advocate for citizenship for undocumented immigrants and Haitian refugees. Five organizers were arrested.
November 2021: Protest Against COVID-19 Vaccinations Leads to Crash
In November 2021, a protest against government-mandated COVID-19 vaccinations led to a chain-reaction crash at the Golden Gate Bridge. During the demonstration, a vehicle collision occurred involving two California Highway Patrol officers and three Golden Gate Bridge employees. The individuals were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
2021: Designation as Part of U.S. Bicycle Route 95
In 2021, the Golden Gate Bridge was designated as part of U.S. Bicycle Route 95, recognizing its importance and popularity with bicyclists.
September 26, 2022: Protests Over Mahsa Amini's Death
On September 26, 2022, over 1,000 protesters gathered at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center to demonstrate against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its morality police following the death of Mahsa Amini. The protest attendees voiced demands for women's rights and freedom, displaying signs and carrying former imperial state Iranian flags. The event drew global attention, sparking solidarity protests in Iran, Greece, England, and France.
July 1, 2023: Toll Rate Adjustment
Effective July 1, 2023, the regular toll rate for passenger cars on the Golden Gate Bridge was set at $9, with FasTrak users paying $8.75 and carpool vehicles paying $6.75 during peak hours.
2023: Cost Estimate of Golden Gate Bridge in Modern Terms
By 2023, the original estimated cost for the Golden Gate Bridge of $100 million in 1916 would be equivalent to $2.8 billion. Joseph Strauss's $17 million estimate would be equivalent to $476 million.
2023: Project Cost Adjustment
In 2023, the historical cost of the Golden Gate Bridge's construction was adjusted to $610 million in today's dollars, emphasizing the project's economic significance since its inception on January 5, 1933.
2023: Historical Toll Comparisons
In 2023, the historical toll rates of the Golden Gate Bridge were equivalent to $10.6 (1937), $5.07 (1950), $2.84 (1955), and $4.38 (1968) when adjusted for inflation.
2023: Historical Toll Comparisons
In 2023, the historical toll rates of the Golden Gate Bridge were equivalent to $10.6 (1937), $5.07 (1950), $2.84 (1955), and $4.38 (1968) when adjusted for inflation.
2023: Historical Toll Comparisons
In 2023, the historical toll rates of the Golden Gate Bridge were equivalent to $10.6 (1937), $5.07 (1950), $2.84 (1955), and $4.38 (1968) when adjusted for inflation.
January 2024: Completion of Suicide Barriers
In January 2024, the installation of suicide barriers on the Golden Gate Bridge was completed. The barriers consist of metal nets that are visible from the pedestrian walkways and are designed to prevent suicides by making it painful to land on.
February 14, 2024: Pro-Palestinian Protest Halts Traffic
On February 14, 2024, a pro-Palestinian protest temporarily halted traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. Around 20 protesters gathered on the bridge, displaying banners condemning the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and calling for an end to U.S. military support to Israel. The demonstration caused a standstill in both northbound and southbound traffic.
April 2024: Pro-Palestinian Protests Continue
In April 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters staged demonstrations across the Golden Gate Bridge in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. The protests aimed to raise awareness and show solidarity with Gaza during a period of conflict. Some protesters chained themselves to vehicles to impede traffic flow, leading to temporary blockades and arrests by law enforcement.