WHY THE NAME GOLDEN GATE?
The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean.  The strait is approximately three-miles long by one-mile wide with currents ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 knots.  It is generally accepted that the strait was named "Chrysopylae", or Golden Gate, by John C. Fremont, Captain, topographical Engineers of the U.S. Army circa 1846.  It reminded him of a harbor in Instanbul named Chrysoceras or Golden Horn.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO BUILD THE BRIDGE?
Just over four years.  Construction commenced on January 5, 1933 and the Bridge was open to vehicular traffic on May 28, 1937.
WHEN DID THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE OPEN?
The dream of spanning the Golden Gate Strait had been around for well over a century before the Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic on May 28, 1937.  Pedestrian Day was held on May 27, 1937.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WORKED ON THE BRIDGE DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION?
We do not have the exact employment figures. The Bridge was built by 10 different prime contractors and their subcontractors. These contractors are no longer in business and our agency did not have the employment records.
HOW MANY WORKERS DIED DURING CONSTRUCTION?
Eleven men.  Until February 17, 1937, there had been only one fatality, setting a new all-time record in a field where one man killed for every million dollars spent had been the norm.  On February 17, ten more men lost their lives when a section of scaffold carrying twelve men fell through the safety net.
WHAT'S THE HALFWAY-TO-HELL CLUB?
The most conspicuous precaution was the safety net, suspended under the floor of the Bridge from end to end.  During construction, the net saved the lives of 19 men who became known as the "Half-Way-to-Hell Club."
WHAT WOULD IT COST TO BUILD THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TODAY?
The cost to construct a new Golden Gate Bridge would be approximately $1.2 billion in 2003 dollars. The total price depends on a many factors including the extent of the environmental reviews and the cost of labor and materials.
HOW MANY RIVETS ARE THERE IN EACH GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TOWER?
There are approximately 600,000 rivets in each tower.
WHAT COLOR IS THE BRIDGE?
Although many shades of gold were tried, this color was chosen as it most easily distinguished in fog. It is called “International Orange”. 43 People work year-round painting the bridge to keep its color fresh.