Stretching across San Francisco Bay stands the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is located in one of nature's most beautiful landscapes, spanning a mile-wide bay from Fort Point in San Francisco to the Marin County coast. Joseph Strauss, a specialist in bridge construction, was the leader in the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Construction began on January 5, 1993, and after four years was completed on April 27, 1997. The construction of the bridge was necessary due to the growing population after the California Gold Rush. The bridge was a difficult task for engineers and is a source of inspiration today. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the largest suspension bridges and is well known throughout the world. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of America's most majestic and beloved landmarks. As early as 1872, Charles Crocker spoke of “filling the gate” (Elliot), who proposed building a railroad bridge over the Golden Gate. City officials thought it would simply be too risky and others thought it would be impossible. James Wilkins, who had an engineering degree, took a job at the San Francisco Bulletin and “launched an editorial campaign in 1916 to get in the door” (Doherty 9). He suggested a suspension bridge would work. A suspension bridge supports a long span in the middle using cables suspended from towers at each end. Back then, ferries transported people north and south across the bay. Joseph Strauss was a bridge builder who came to San Francisco on business and read Wilkins' article. The idea of ​​building a bridge across the Golden Gate excited him. This excited him so much that he spent the next 22 years thinking about the design and construction of the Golden Gat... middle of paper ... The gate "will cost approximately $147 million" (Doherty 41 ). As the costs of repairing and maintaining the bridge have increased, so have tolls. The initial toll of 50 cents per ride was reduced several times until it "reached 25 cents in 1955" (Barter 99). Since then, it has continued to increase. In 1971, the toll was increased to “one dollar” (Doherty 41). It reached “two dollars in 1981 and three dollars in 1991” (Doherty). Although there are taller and longer bridges in the world today, few are as easily recognized as the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge that people said was impossible to build became a shining example of human engineering. It is also a permanent monument to the skill and dedication of the many people who made Strauss's dream a reality. Today, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most majestic and beloved landmarks in the United States..