Amazon Quiz: This famous bridge is located in which US state?
Texas
Florida
California
Ohio
Answer: California
The Golden State boasts of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, which remains a major tourist attraction. Out in the bay, one can see Alcatraz Island, infamous for being one of the most inescapable prisons of all time.
Shrouded in fog or glistening in the sunlight, the Golden Gate Bridge is a sight to behold. The suspension bridge connects SF with Marin County up north and was completed in 1937. At the time, it became the world’s tallest and longest suspension bridge.
The unique orange and vermilion colour combination perform two functions – firstly, it helps the bridge’s colours suit the surroundings, while also ensuring that ships at a distance can see the structure.
While Joesph B Strauss oversaw the construction of the bridge, as the chief engineer on the project, there were several hurdles. This included rapidly running tides, severe storms, and the sudden fogs that San Francisco is famous for. During one such fog, a cargo vessel hit the access trestle, which caused serious damage.
The entire construction process was perilous since the rock underwater had to be blasted to plant foundations which wouldn’t be destroyed by earthquakes. Strauss had the foresight to have a safety net in place, which saved 19 men from falling to their deaths while the bridge was being made. However, the net failed on February 17, 1937, which resulted in the death of 10 men, all of which go towards the spectacular yet sobering history of the bridge.
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