Council Applauds Federal Grant for Critical Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Work

Federal officials gathered in San Francisco this week (Jan. 23) to celebrate the awarding of a $400 million federal grant to seismically retrofit the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937. The funding enables the completion of an overall $1.26 billion seismic retrofit project that began in 1997 following the Loma Prieta earthquake and has been done in three phases using a combination of local, state and federal funds. Strengthening the bridge, which annually serves 40 million cars, 2.3 million bikers and pedestrians, 2.2 million transit riders and 800,000 freight vehicles, is critical for ensuring the safe and continued operation of this iconic span and the vital Highway 101 transportation artery it serves. Major thanks to Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District General Manager and CEO Denis Mulligan for his leadership in moving this complex project forward. The Bay Area Council is gratified that our strong advocacy may have helped secure this funding from the Federal Highway Administration.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed joined in the celebration of this funding, which was made possible by the $1 trillion federal bipartisan infrastructure law that Congress passed in 2021. The Council congratulates the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District on securing this funding to complete this important project for our region. To engage in the Council’s transportation work, please contact Vice President Emily Loper.