Has the Golden Gate Bridge ever collapsed? An in-depth analysis of the engineering miracle that has stood for nearly a century and remains solid

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay is an engineering marvel hailed as “impossible made possible.” Since its opening in 1937, this suspension bridge with a total length of 2,737 meters and a main span of 1,280 meters has become one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. However, rumors and doubts about its “collapse” have never ceased—from early construction accidents to modern crowd incidents, what is the true safety status of the Golden Gate Bridge?

Construction Tragedy and Historical Misconceptions

On February 17, 1937, a serious accident occurred at the construction site of the Golden Gate Bridge. According to reports at the time, ten workers were dismantling a temporary scaffolding when the wheels supporting the platform suddenly broke. The platform shook violently and fell into the safety net, but the net could not withstand such a heavy load, ultimately falling along with the platform and workers into the water 200 feet (about 61 meters) below.

This accident resulted in significant casualties. The initial official report suggested all ten workers might have perished. Subsequent updates indicated thirteen fell, with one grabbing a rope for self-rescue, two rescued by the Coast Guard, one body recovered, and nine presumed dead. This construction accident and the sacrifice of 11 workers during the bridge’s construction may be one of the sources of the “Golden Gate Bridge collapse” rumors.

Crowd Crisis and Extreme Testing

On May 24, 1987, the Golden Gate Bridge celebrated its 50th anniversary. On that day, a large number of people flooded onto the bridge from San Francisco and Marin County. When the crowd met in the middle of the bridge, the scene nearly spiraled out of control. It is estimated that about 300,000 people were on the bridge, while another 500,000 tried to pour in from both sides. The bridge deck began to deform under the immense pressure, and the 227-meter-high towers tilted inward, with the central span sinking more than 2.1 meters.

Fortunately, organizers detected the abnormality in time and announced the closure of the bridge. After hours of evacuation, the crowd was safely dispersed. Post-inspection confirmed that although the deck had sunk noticeably, the structure remained safe and within the designed load limits.

Ongoing Reinforcement and Modern Challenges

The management of the Golden Gate Bridge has never ceased maintenance and reinforcement of this nearly 90-year-old structure. Since 2008, the bridge has entered the third phase of seismic retrofitting, the most comprehensive structural strengthening project in its history. This phase is divided into two parts: Phase 3A (2008-2014), mainly reinforcing the north anchorage and N1 tower, costing about $125 million; Phase 3B targets the main suspension span, main towers, south tower pier, and protective systems, with an estimated cost of $879 million.

In March 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a report listing the Golden Gate Bridge as one of 68 bridges potentially at risk of ship collisions. This report was based on an investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. In response, the Golden Gate Bridge authority stated that the bridge has “one of the strongest ship collision protection systems on the West Coast” and has proactively commissioned an assessment of the south tower’s protective system.

Engineering Wisdom and Structural Redundancy

The design of the Golden Gate Bridge incorporates multiple safety redundancies. According to data, when designed in the 1930s, the allowable vertical deformation was 4.9 meters, and within 8.2 meters, no permanent damage would occur. The initial load capacity was set at 4,000 pounds per foot, which had increased to 5,700 pounds per foot by the mid-1980s. During the 1987 celebration, the actual load was about 5,400 pounds per foot, still within the bridge’s capacity.

The seismic design of the bridge is also highly advanced. The two main towers are 342 meters tall, with 227 meters above water—equivalent to a 70-story building. The steel cables have a diameter of 92.7 centimeters, each weighing approximately 24,500 tons, composed of 27,572 steel wires.

Maintenance System and Long-term Protection

Maintaining the Golden Gate Bridge is an ongoing task. Its “international orange” coating not only enhances aesthetics but is also crucial for protecting the steel structure from corrosion. The bridge requires a comprehensive repainting approximately every 15 years, a meticulous process that demands careful preparation and precise execution to ensure durability and protective effectiveness.

The bridge management team employs dedicated engineers, painters, and maintenance personnel who work continuously to ensure safety and appearance. Daily inspections include steel structure checks, cable maintenance, anti-corrosion treatments, and more.

Modern Extension of Safety Philosophy

Just as the Golden Gate Bridge ensures its nearly century-long safe operation through continuous maintenance and reinforcement, modern cryptocurrency trading platforms also regard security as a core pillar. The robustness of infrastructure and systemic risk prevention are equally important in both physical engineering and digital finance.

The following comparison highlights the commonality in safety philosophy between the Golden Gate Bridge and digital trading platforms:

As of January 27, 2026, Gate platform data shows that mainstream cryptocurrencies maintain stable trading conditions, with the market reaching a new balance after a phased adjustment. Just as the Golden Gate Bridge adapts to changing traffic patterns and earthquake risks, the digital asset market continues to evolve, seeking a balance between security and innovation.

When ships navigate through the fog in the Golden Gate Strait, the first thing navigators see is that iconic orange steel structure. It has endured construction injuries, crowd surges, earthquake threats, and ship collision risks, yet after nearly 90 years of wind and rain, the towers still stand tall. Daily commuters still flow across the bridge, and tourists continue to take photos in front of this “international orange” landmark. The story of the Golden Gate Bridge is a microcosm of human resilience—through wisdom, persistence, and continuous improvement, the impossible becomes possible, and fragility becomes strength. The existence of the Golden Gate Bridge itself is a powerful answer to a simple question: no, the Golden Gate Bridge has never collapsed. It stands firm in history, strengthened through challenges, and remains a living monument to engineering and maintenance wisdom.