Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Statistics
The length of the steel wires used to make the cables of the bridge is enough to
circle the earth three times. It is also brilliantly “over-engineered” and is said
to be five times stronger than it needs to be to withstand the winds and tides it
endures daily. At the time it was built, it was the longest suspension bridge in
the world (it still ranks ninth) and took just over four years to build. About 40
million vehicles cross the bridge annually, streaming across six lanes of traffic,
along its 1.7-mile (2.7-km) length. The bridge is equipped with two foghorns,
each with a different pitch, and 360-degree flashing red beacons. The bridge has
been closed due to high winds only three times in its history.
Tip:
For a uniquely powerful view of the bridge while enjoying a Sunday
champagne brunch, opt for one of the many cruises on the Bay, departing from
the Embarcadero Pier and Sausalito. Quality purveyors are Hornblower Cruises
(
415 438 8300
,
www.hornblower.com
), and Call of the Sea/Seaward (
415 331
3214
,
www.callofthesea.org
).
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