Full of Suspense
The wonder of Bay Area Bridges
Without global travel, we’ve been spending time appreciating our local architecture in California.
Two of the most marvelous human achievements in this area are the Bay Area Bridges, the Golden Gate and its lesser known cousin, the Bay Bridge.
The Golden Gate is one of the most recognized and iconic bridges in the world. Its towers express strength and personality in an Art Deco style. Its sweeping suspensions create a wavy feel over the bay. Its orange color captures the eye.
Before its construction, the only way to cross to San Francisco from the north was by ferry. After the Gold Rush brought an influx of newcomers, the idea for a bridge was born.
In the early 1900s, many opposed it. Local residents thought it would increase traffic and the US Navy thought it would be hazardous for ships. It took the head engineer, Joseph Strauss, ten years to drum up the support. When he finally did, it took another five years to finish the suspension bridge. At the time, it was the longest bridge in the world.
One of our favorite elements of the Golden Gate is the color. Technically, it’s called “international orange,” and it was chosen for two reasons: it complemented the natural landscape and, more importantly, it helped visibility in the foggy bay area weather.
Despite that, the Bay Bridge may be a more impressive feat. Its location spanned one of the deepest parts of the bay and, because of the length, it was constructed in two bridges, connecting over Yerba Buena Island.
Its genesis came from a need to access San Francisco from Oakland. Because it was designed to carry high traffic, it was the widest bridge in the US at the time.
Its industrial architecture conveys concrete strength with traditional suspension design. One of the most impressive features is the lighting, which at night glows bright with hundreds of dots across the suspended bands.
We’re grateful to have such beautiful architecture right in our backyards! What’s a building or structure near you that has caught your eye?