New slats make the Golden Gate Bridge sound like a David Lynch movie (kqed.org)

Article summary

The Golden Gate Bridge is producing a loud humming noise due to new sidewalk railing slats installed to better handle the wind. The sound is a result of the wind passing through the slats and is described as a long, loud hum. The Golden Gate Bridge District has stated that the sound is intentional and a known phenomenon that was studied during the design process. The sound is expected to remain as the retrofit is necessary for the safety and structural integrity of the bridge.

Main themes

• Golden Gate Bridge noise
• engineering design
• public transportation
• wildlife impact
• urban nuisance
• infrastructure management

What commenters say

• The humming noise from the Golden Gate Bridge is annoying and may negatively impact local residents.
• The noise could potentially disorient or harm local wildlife.
• The incident highlights the importance of considering all potential consequences of engineering designs.
• The noise is reminiscent of other annoying sounds from public transportation systems, such as the screeching of trains.
• Some people find the noise to be beautiful and reminiscent of ambient music.
• The failure to predict and mitigate the noise is seen as a mistake that could have been avoided with proper testing and design.
• The noise is likely to be tolerated and eventually ignored by locals, similar to other annoying sounds from public transportation.
• The incident underscores the need for better communication and collaboration between designers, engineers, and installers of infrastructure projects.