Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792ROO0700440001-2
        site 733
        GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
        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