Culture
The Fascinating, Never-Ending Job of Painting the Golden Gate Bridge
Nature wants to turn this American icon to rust. Chad Allan won't let that happen.
The Golden Gate Bridge is under attack. Corrosive salt air, roadway contaminants, age, UV rays—all these things are trying to turn the majestic span into a pitted skeleton.
Luckily the bridge has a powerful ally: an elite squad of painters, numbering just a few dozen. These busy operatives scurry up, down, and around the span on a never-ending quest to keep it protected and looking sharp.