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Major Renovation To Begin On Golden Gate Bridge

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- The main cables of the Golden Gate Bridge will be renovated for the first time since the span opened in 1937.

Bridge officials delivered scaffolding for the project Wednesday morning.

Once it's set up, crews will begin cleaning the exterior of the two main cables and scraping their surfaces so a new coat of paint can be applied.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

The project is expected to last three years. The bridge district was going to contract it out for $30 million before deciding to use its own workforce.

The cables hold the bridge together and support the road. They pass over the bridge's two main towers and are anchored at both of its ends.

 (© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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