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When was San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge built and how much did it cost?
The bridge’s construction was a significant achievement in engineering and architecture and continues to be an important part of the city’s identity.
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was constructed from January 1933 to May 1937. The project cost approximately $35 million, which is equivalent to around $666 million in today’s dollars.
The construction of the bridge was carried out by the McClintic-Marshall Construction Co., a subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, under the supervision of chief engineer Joseph Strauss.
The bridge opened to vehicular traffic on 29 May, 1937, and it has since become an iconic symbol of San Francisco. As a major tourist attraction, it receives 10 million visitors a year.
The Golden Gate Bridge was a groundbreaking project that set several records at the time of its completion. It held the record for the longest suspension bridge main span in the world, with a length of 4,200 feet. The bridge’s two main towers stood at 746 feet above the water level, and the total length of the bridge, including approaches, was 1.7 miles. .
The cost of construction, financially and in lives
The bridge was built using a $35 million bond, which was significantly lower than the initial estimates of up to $100 million. This was achieved through the ingenuity of Strauss and his team, who implemented innovative solutions and techniques to reduce costs. The bond issue was supported by the Bank of America, and the construction was completed ahead of schedule and $1.3 million under budget.
However, 30 workers were killed during its construction. Despite the near 100-year passage of time, construction is still a profession with an exceedingly high fatality rate.