Bridge officials have nixed the walk out of concerns for security and crowd control and will instead focus on an undetermined event in the area, possibly at Crissy Field in San Francisco with the assistance of the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy.

When the bridge turned 50 in 1987, an estimated 300,000 people poured onto the bridge when the famed roadway was shut down. The weight of humanity caused the span to lose its arch and become level.
"We looked at a walk along the lines of what occurred in 1987, but in light of the events of 9/11 and in light of all the construction projects going on, it was decided by the 75th anniversary advisory committee that we would not have a bridge walk," said Mary Currie, bridge district spokeswoman.

Dietrich Stroeh, a board member from Marin who sits on the committee, said the threat of terrorism at an event that is hard to control was a factor in the decision.

"We didn't have that issue in our heads in 1987," he said. "Security is a more of a factor now. The more people you have there, the more potential you have for problems. Just the access to the bridge itself is an issue. We are very cautious now of where people can go on the bridge."

The committee - made up of board members - looked at a limited bridge walk involving a set number of tickets, but the idea was eventually rejected.

"It would take a large force to manage something like that," Currie said. "To have a large gathering on a small space didn't seem prudent. The number of people who came in 1987 was overwhelming, and we were lucky then there were no incidents."

And with continuing seismic work on the bridge, as well as work on Doyle Drive to the south and on roads in the Marin Headlands to the north, bridge officials said they will have to figure out a new way to celebrate the span on its 75th birthday.

In addition to a span walk on the bridge's 50th birthday, there was one on May 27, 1937, the day before it opened to vehicular traffic. The 25th anniversary was celebrated with a civic luncheon.

On Friday, the bridge board approved a plan to enter negotiations with the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy to develop money making ventures to help fund a celebration and to raise money beyond the anniversary. The conservancy has helped restore Crissy Field, rehabilitated buildings in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has worked on trails, among other projects.

"A partnership seems natural and logical," said Greg Moore, who heads the conservancy.

The conservancy would develop commemorative products as well as related events if it ends up working with the bridge district.

"The ideas and possibilities are endless," said Janet Reilly, bridge board member who is heading the 75th anniversary committee

Contact Mark Prado via e-mail at mprado@marinij.com.