Board OKs Golden Gate Bridge Walk
SAN FRANCISCO — Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge took a step back in history on Friday when they agreed that pedestrians can stroll across the 1.7-mile span on May 24, just the way they did 50 years ago.
Marching bands, a booming 50-gun salute and an airplane fly-over will lead off the controversial walk-across, slated for 6 to 8 a.m. on the day set aside to honor the 50th anniversary of one of the most-photographed bridges in the world.
After a year of debate about the closure, bridge directors agreed with staff conclusions that special measures would mitigate the potential problems of the closure and make the walk across the 19-story-high roadway safe. Parking, shuttle bus and ferry services, a special emergency lane on the bridge and standby helicopters are among those steps.
Only three people opposing the closure spoke to the board on Friday, citing frequently voiced contentions that the walk-across would result in massive traffic jams throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
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