GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00792R000700440001-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 27, 2000
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: NOTES

Approved For Release 2000/08/11: CIA-RDP96-00792ROO0700440001-2
The second largest suspension
bridge in the world. It spans the golden gate-a mile wide
straight between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay-
and connects San Francisco with Marin County to the North. The
bridge has a 4200 foot main span, second only to the
Verranzo-Narrows Bridge in New York Harbor, and a total length
of 8,981 feet. The $35 million dollar structure was started in
1933 and opened in 1937. Joseph B. Strauss was the chief
engineer and Othmar H. Amman (q.v.) was a consultant.
The two steel towers of the
bridge, each 746 feet high, are the tallest bridge towers in
the world. The towers, painted bright orange, support two
cables, 36.5 inches in diameter, spaced 90 feet apart. The
pier supporting the south tower is founded on bedrock 100 feet
below the water surface. The pier, built 1125 ft from shore,
is exposed to ocean storms and strong tidal currents. The
bridge carries a roadway, 60 feet wide, divided into six lanes
for vehicular traffic and there are plans to add a second lower
deck. The view from the roadway about 250 ft above the water
is spectacular.
Approved For Release 2000/08/11: CIA-RDP96-00792ROO0700440001-2