The State - News from May 3, 1987

After months of debate, a dawn stroll on a Golden Gate Bridge free of vehicular traffic--and a “no toll” day for drivers--was approved as part of the span’s 50th anniversary party May 24. District General Manager Carney Campion said bridge district directors voted 14 to 3 to close the historic span from 4:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on May 24, allowing pedestrians to stroll the bridge from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., while making the rest of the day a toll-free day for vehicles crossing the bridge. Organizers of the bridge celebration had hoped to close the bridge for the entire day, recreating Opening Day in 1937, when 200,000 people walked across the new span. But residents and city officials on both sides of the bay protested, saying it would cause traffic jams and safety hazards.