San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge will undergo a major $1 billion retrofit to improve seismic safety and extend the bridge’s operational life. The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District approved funding to begin the final construction phase after decades of planning.
The project will reinforce the main and side spans, strengthen the bridge’s two towers, and retrofit key structural joints and beams to withstand large earthquakes. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and continue for more than ten years in two major phases.
Halmar International will lead the first construction phase under an $864 million contract. Federal and state programs will supply additional funding, supported by district reserves and toll revenues. The district expects to create hundreds of union construction jobs during the project.
Earlier phases completed between 2001 and 2014 strengthened approach viaducts and entry points on both sides of the span. This new phase will complete the bridge’s full seismic protection program, ensuring continued functionality after a major earthquake and reducing risks to regional mobility.
District officials said the retrofit will help safeguard one of California’s most critical transportation links and support recovery efforts following future seismic events.