GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TOLL PLAZA CLOCK REPLACED WITH A REPLICA

In preparation for the replacement of the roof over the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, the large, round eight-foot diameter toll plaza clock was removed at approximately 11 am on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 and replaced with a new, more modern replica of the clock on Wednesday, August 20, 2003.

The clock was being replaced with a modern mechanical replica as the exposure to the salt air over the years has resulted in rust that has advanced significantly and now impeding the clock's ability to function. The existing toll plaza clock was installed in 1949. The clock is considered a local treasure as it greets motorists each day who have come to rely on it to get them to work or home on time.

The roof over the toll plaza roof has not been replaced since original construction more than 65 years ago. It has been overlaid with additional layers of roofing several times over the years and numerous patches have been applied to stop leaks. The roof has far exceeded its useful design life, and severe leakage is an ongoing maintenance problem. To remedy this, a contract to replace the roofing system including repairing the underlying deck was authorized by the Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, July 25, 2003. The roof of the roundhouse gift center will also be replaced under this contract.