Link loss: Say goodbye to San Francisco’s favorite chain.
Posted on 12/23/2023 8:59:31 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
Workers are replacing the charming rusty chain that lines the road to Fort Point with a dull metal barrier
Link loss: Say goodbye to San Francisco’s favorite chain.
Marine Drive in the Presidio isn’t even a mile along, but as it descends a short hill from Lincoln Boulevard, you’re awarded with one of the most commanding views in San Francisco. Ahead, the Golden Gate Bridge towers above the hulk of Fort Point, while on the right, the constantly churning bay splashes on the rocky shore.
Over the next few weeks that view is going to change. The bridge and fort will still be there, but a large barrier chain that keeps awe-struck drivers from plunging into the icy water is being replaced by a more pedestrian aluminum barrier.
If you haven’t visited the site, you’d be forgiven for wondering what’s so special about a chain. But THIS chain, dangling between crumbling concrete posts and rusty from years of fog and salty spray, has been featured in countless photos on Instagram and Flickr.
At least one Instagram user is already mourning the chain’s loss. But a spokesman from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which manages the area, said there’s a good reason for its removal.
New barrier... 
The new two-rail, 3-foot tall barrier will be more tolerant of the harsh marine environment, said spokesperson Julian Espinoza, and its smaller footprint will make the narrow roadway safer for everyone. And while they’ll still be awarded unobstructed views, he acknowledged the pain of photographers the world over.
“While we appreciate that some visitors really like the old design, the new barrier will improve the safety of the pedestrians, cyclists and drivers using Marine Drive and that’s been our priority for this project”
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Actually, this barrier is probably part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and under federal government purview. The federal government has LOTS of money for crap like this.
"...a large barrier chain that keeps awe-struck drivers from plunging into the icy water" -- LOL...how many drivers have "plunged into the icy waters"? If the old chain did that job, then why change it? The new barrier is a weak, spindly thing whereas the old chain is stout and strong.
"...more tolerant of the harsh marine environment" -- sheesh, the old chain could continue rusting the next 200 years and still be in good shape. That new barrier won't last a decade.
This is just idiotic government run amok.
If the old chain did that job, then why change it?
If there wasn’t federal money, it would be good enough.
We do a lot of things because we can, but some times there are other reasons.
“While we appreciate that some visitors really like the old design, the new barrier will improve the safety of the pedestrians, cyclists and drivers ”
Frikkin snowflakes.
BETCHA that new barrier WILL NOT hold back a compact car-—weight & momentum will not be stopped.
Anything larger-—certainly will not be stopped.
THESE IDIOTS need to learn the LAWS OF GROSS TONNAGE.
I drive older, all steel, heavier vehicles for that very reason.....
“Frikkin snowflakes.”
No kidding. Reminds me of the high school three blocks from our house in a small town on the SF Peninsula. It’s been there about 70 years. We’ve lived there 40 of those 70. There have never been safety problems with kids, bikes and cars. We had some simple white stripes to delineate a bike lane, typical white paint crosswalks, and a few yellow and black “School” signs. There has never been a safety problem. Maybe one or two kids got hurt in our 40 years there.
A couple years ago, they decided to “improve safety” and repainted all the streets with green paint, more lanes, turn arrows everywhere, cross-hatches, plenty of new signs and signposts — you name it. It is a gigantic jumbled mess and nobody can understand any of it. NONE of it was run by the neighbors affected by it before making the changes. It’s like Idiocracy run wild.
The neighbors finally said “Enough” and are fighting the city.
“because they can.”
Because they have FAR too many people in government making work for themselves to justify their jobs. If the government were half its current size, nobody would have time to even dream up something like this.
Cracks me up — that flimsy (looks like aluminum) new barrier won’t stop anything! There was no way you were driving through that old, stout chain.
Is The Chain from ‘Titanic’?
Why not choose a much better representation of the city? Replace the chain with a barrier of brown cement piles shaped like six foot turds all along the way. They could put a sign saying, “To see and smell the real crap, just go downtown. Talking turds can be seen and heard at City Hall. If it ain’t Democrat, it ain’t s**t.”
Chain, chain, chain (Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
A further thought:
When you see the chain, what is the first image in your mind?
For me it goes to WWII, or other large ship. An image of our heritage.
It has to be destroyed.
Actually, the feds have the ability to create debt that is used to generate money. Nobody runs their personal finances like the feds run the fed government. It's time to change the name of the national debt to "The Golden Calf" or "The Tower of Babel".
Good observation.
I’m glad I saw SF back in the 80s....I mean it’s was still weird back then but nothing close to the current freak show
“It [heritage] has to be destroyed.”
Good point. They’ll work their way up to destroying the old Fort Point (a civil war era fort where this road leads.
The federally managed GGNRA area is still as gorgeous as ever.
I was stationed at Mare Island for Nuclear Training starting in 1976. Every day off I was down in San Francisco and the surrounding area exploring. My roommate had worked at Lockheed Sunnyvale before going in the Navy. His girlfriend knew many people and I can remember going to China town and eating as guests of the restaurant owners Even decades later those times brings a smile to my face.
I visited SF a few times after those years on long weekends but it wasn't until an RV trip in 2016 to SF that I realized that SF truly sucked. I do not have any plans to ever return. Another somewhat related memory was my roommate dumped his girlfriend after we moved to Idaho Falls for nuclear prototype training. I thought at the time and have never forgotten I should have started a fling with her as she would probably have been very willing to be at the dock as the submarine pulled in after patrol! It would have made my navy time so much more exciting. Ditto Admiral Stansfield Turner's daughter who was also available during my SF time as her boyfriend flunked out of NPS and she would come by our apartment to chill after work. Just a few dates with her and meeting her father also could have changed EVERYTHING about my Navy career.
If only I knew then what I know now...
“If only I knew then what I know now”
I would undoubtedly have AT LEAST a million dollars in the bank.....at least.
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