sciencetech-blog

comments

For more than 50 years, a worker was forced to sit on the back of a truck and slowly drop plastic tubes to set out lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Every day, their direction and positioning changes to account for commuter traffic, meaning an employee had to go through the arduous task every 24 hours. 

But a new piece of mesmerizing machinery means the traffic set up the 1.7-mile San Francisco structure can be completed in a matter of minutes.

The new Golden Gate Bridge zipper trucks in action

Arduous: For more than 50 years, a worker was forced to sit on the back of a truck and slowly drop plastic tubes to set out the lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge

New technology: This 'zipper truck' can move recently-installed safety barriers across the San Francisco structure in a matter of minutes 

Safety: The flexible partition that was put in during maintenance work last weekend was designed in a bid to reduce head-on collisions 

A new 'zipper truck' has been introduced. The vehicle automatically lays and moves a lane barrier as it drives over the bridge. 

Last weekend, the bridge was closed so the new safety barrier, designed to reduce the dangers of head-on crashes, could be set up.

For the longest period in its nearly 80-year history, the bridge was closed early Saturday to all but pedestrians, cyclists and buses to install the barriers on the 1.7-mile-stretch. 

A survivor of a 2008 head-on crash on the bridge spoke Sunday from her wheelchair to help inaugurate the new barrier, made of steel-clad concrete blocks that can move across the span's six lanes to accommodate traffic demands.

The zipper truck moves the barrier to another lane location. It is said to have cost around $30million 

Dr. Grace Dammann, who pushed for a safer median barrier since becoming paralyzed from the crash, said she decided to drive in the 'suicide lane' because she and her daughter were running late. Brian Clark, who was driving in the opposite direction, had just learned his father had terminal cancer.

'He passed out at the wheel, crossed over and hit my car,' Dammann recalled.

She said she and Clark became friends as they urged the district to approve the $30 million barrier.

'I am so grateful,' said Dammann, who came to the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Clark. 'Brian and I thank you.'