The World's Top 18 Expensive Bridge Projects Exposed

12. The USA's Golden Gate Bridge

Location: Marin County and San Francisco, California

Founded: 1937

Expense: *$2.3 billion

The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge designed by the renowned engineer Joseph Strauss. Completed in 1937, it spans the Golden Gate Strait, linking Marin County with the San Francisco Peninsula.

With a construction cost of approximately $2.3 billion, the Golden Gate Bridge is not only one of the most expensive bridges in the world but also a symbol of engineering excellence. Recognized as one of the wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the bridge is celebrated for its stunning Art Deco design and vibrant International Orange color, which enhances its visibility against the often foggy backdrop of the bay.

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United States' Golden Gate Bridge Prior to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, which started in 1920, transportation by ferry was the only option. From that ferry service, the Golden Gate Ferry Company grew to become, by the late 1920s, the largest ferry enterprise in the world. Officials from Marin County, however, wished to improve the bridge. The bridge started to acquire public favor in 1916. The steel suspension bridge has a length of 1.7 miles and a maximum height of 746 feet. At high tide, it has a 220-foot clearance over the Golden Gate. Every day, 110,000 automobiles pass over this bridge. Owing to its extraordinary iconic significance, the Golden Gate has appeared in popular films like Inside Out by Pixar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and even Zodiac.