Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 6, California’s Golden Gate Bridge is set to undergo a $1 billion improvement programme aimed at enhancing its resilience against seismic activity. The project is essential due to the bridge’s location near the San Andreas Fault, where earthquakes occur periodically and can be severe. The upgrade will help ensure the long-term safety and durability of one of the state’s most recognized landmarks.

California’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge is to benefit from improvements to make it more resistant to earthquakes

Opened to traffic in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge has long stood as an emblem of San Francisco and a symbol of advanced engineering. Despite its age, the bridge remains structurally sound, having benefited from continuous maintenance and earlier upgrades. The suspender ropes were replaced in the mid-1970s, and the bridge deck was replaced during the mid-1980s to extend its service life and improve safety.

Planning for the seismic retrofit has been ongoing for several years under the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. The project is being executed in multiple stages. Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the retrofit were carried out between 1997 and 2008, focusing on strengthening key structural components. Phase 3A was completed in 2014, marking another step toward full seismic compliance.

The next phase, Phase 3BI, is scheduled to begin in 2026 and is expected to take about 11 years to complete. The scope of work includes reinforcement of the 1,965m bridge deck and both 227m-high support towers. The towers will be fitted with 12m-high and 50mm-thick steel reinforcement plates to enhance stability. Additionally, a new steel lattice structure will be installed beneath the deck to strengthen its foundation, and large shock absorbers will be added to help the bridge withstand seismic forces during major earthquakes.

Funding for the seismic retrofit is being shared among federal, state, and local authorities. The California Department of Transportation, together with federal sources, will contribute to the financing, including a $400 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District emphasized that the upcoming phase represents one of the most technically complex retrofit efforts undertaken for the structure. Once completed, the project will significantly improve the bridge’s capacity to endure strong seismic events, ensuring continued operation and public safety for decades ahead.

This comprehensive upgrade is part of California’s broader strategy to strengthen key infrastructure assets against natural hazards. The Golden Gate Bridge project demonstrates long-term planning and investment to preserve a vital transportation link while maintaining the bridge’s historical and cultural significance to the region.