Sydney Harbour Bridge | australia.gov.au Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset. Image courtesy of Virtual Australia. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most well known and photographed landmarks. It is the world's largest (but not the longest) steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour. It is fondly known by the locals as the 'Coathanger' because of its arch-based design. A history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge It was as early as 1815 that Francis Greenway proposed building a bridge from the northern to the southern shore of the harbour. It took some time for this to become a reality with design submissions invited in 1900. All the submissions were considered unsuitable and so the momentum for the bridge crossing stopped. However, after the First World War more serious plans were made, with a general design for the Sydney Harbour Bridge prepared by Dr J J C Bradfield and officers of the NSW Department of Public Works. The New South Wales Government then invited worldwide tenders for the construction of the Bridge in 1922 and the contract was let to English firm Dorman Long and Co of Middlesbrough.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge construction started in 1924 and took 1,400 men eight years to build at a cost of 4.2 million. Six million hand driven rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel were used in its construction. It now carries eight traffic lanes and two rail lines, one in each direction, but at the time of its construction the two eastern lanes were tram tracks. They were converted to road traffic when Sydney closed down its tram system in the 1950s. Captain Francis De Groot 'opening' the Bridge. Image courtesy of Pylon Lookout. An interesting past The Bridge has an interesting past including its official opening on 19 March 1932. Before the NSW Premier, the Honourable John 'Jack' T. Lang, could cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the Harbour Bridge, Captain Francis De Groot of the political group The New Guard slashed the ribbon with his sword. Captain De Goot believed that the only person to open the Bridge should be a member of the Royal Family. Captain De Goot was detained, the ribbon tied together, and the Premier then officially cut the ribbon.

As many as 800 families living in the Bridge's path were relocated and their homes demolished without any compensation given when the Bridge started construction. Sixteen workers lives were lost during construction of the Bridge. Grace Cossington Smith, The Bridge in-Curve, c.1930, tempera on cardboard 83.6x111.8cm. Image courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria. Flying under the Bridge It is reported that in 1943 a flight of 24 RAAF Wirraways flew under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with one of the pilots changing his flight path at the last moment to go over the top of the Bridge only just clearing it in time. There is another story of the Americans flying under the Harbour Bridge, with one Kittyhawk flying under in about February 1942 and two Kittyhawks in May 1942. Again in May 1942, the Dutch flew three aircraft of the 18 Squadron NEI-AF under the Bridge in formation and then circled back to do another flight under the Bridge in a single line.

On 22 October 1943, Flight Lieutenant Peter Isaacson and his crew flew the huge Australian Lancaster, Q for Queenie, under the Harbour Bridge during a tour around Australia to raise funds for the war effort. Climbing the Bridge BridgeClimb started in 1998 and attracts tourists and locals alike to climb the monument. After climbing through catwalks and up ladders and stairs, the view is absolutely breathtaking. There are day, twilight and night climbs and a group of twelve will leave for a climb every ten minutes. The safety precautions taken include a blood alcohol reading and a Climb Simulator, which shows Climbers the climbing conditions that might be experienced on the Bridge. By all reports, BridgeClimb is fantastic and one of the 'must dos' while on a trip to Sydney, with royals and celebrities such as Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark, Matt Damon, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Ferguson, Cathy Freeman, Kylie Minogue and Kostya Tszyu all having done the Climb.

The Pylon Lookout The Pylon Lookout is at the southern eastern end of the Bridge (the Rocks end) and visitors can go and see an exhibition about the Bridge and well as see the spectacular 360 view from the top of the pylon. Closing of the arch during construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1932. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia A6180, item 29/8/80/21. Did you know... The top of the arch actually rises and falls about 180 mm due to changes in the temperature! In 1932, 96 steam locomotives were positioned in various ways to test the load capacity of the Bridge. When the Bridge opened, it cost a horse and rider three pence and a car six pence to cross. Now horse and riders cannot cross, you can bicycle across in a special lane and walk across the Bridge for free. Cars cost around A$3.30 for a southbound trip and it is free to go northbound.

The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England is a much smaller version of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, its length measuring 397 metres and the main span 161 metres. There is much controversy surrounding the two bridges and which one may have been a model for the other. Although the Tyne Bridge was opened in 1928 – four years before the Harbour Bridge was opened – the tender was submitted and contract signed for the Sydney Harbour Bridge in March 1924. The designs for the Harbour Bridge were put forward by Dr. J C Bradfield before this date. The tender for the Tyne Bridge was accepted and contract signed later that year in December 1924. In 1932, the average annual daily traffic was around 11,000 and now it is around 180,000 vehicles per day. Frank Hurley (1885-1962), Bridge framing vista of City, 1910-1962, glass plate. Image courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia.

One of Australia's well-known celebrities, Paul Hogan, was once part of a workforce virtually permanently employed repainting the Bridge, in that they started another coat of paint after finishing the last. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel was built to cope with ever increasing harbour traffic problems and opened in August 1992. It is 2.3 kilometres long and cost A$554 million to construct. It is strong enough to withstand the impact of earthquakes and sinking ships. It carries around 90,000 vehicles a day. In 2003, a project commenced to remove the lead-based paint from the Bridge and replace it with a more durable non-lead-based paint. Some interesting facts about the Bridge Length of arch span Opening Sydney Harbour Bridge, An event in the 1930s, Australia between the wars: 1930s, History Year 9, NSW | Online Education Home Schooling Skwirk Australia 1 Exams Introduction Also sometimes known as the 'coat hanger,' the Sydney Harbour Bridge has become an Australian icon.

Not only is it a symbol of the incredible capabilities of construction, but also the strength and resilience of a nation which had been struck hard by the Depression and which found inspiration in the magnificent structure before them. The construction The first English settlement and penal colony in Australia was established at Sydney Cove, a small bay located on the southern shore of Port Jackson, in 1788. The settlement soon grew but found that it could not expand as readily to the north, where it was met by the sea. This problem was first addressed in 1815 by the convict and architect, Francis Greenway, who proposed a harbour bridge which would enable a town to grow on the northern shore of Port Jackson. While his plan was justifiable, it never eventuated. Similar suggestions of bridges and tunnels continued, with a growing number of people having to catch ferries and punts across the harbour, or resorting to the road which involved travelling 19 kilometres and crossing five bridges around the head of the harbour. See image 1 It was not until over a century later that work actually began on the Bridge.

Plans for a cantilever bridge to span from Dawes Point on the southern side of the harbour to Milson's Point on the northern side were proposed in 1912 by Dr. John Bradfield, an engineer from the New South Wales Department of Public Works. However, after being accepted in 1913 the plans were placed on hold with the interruption of the First World War. In 1922, 20 tenders by six companies were put forward for a number of bridge designs. The arch design of English firm, Dorman Long and Co. Ltd., was finally accepted at the agreed cost of 4 217 721 pounds, 11 shillings and 10 pence. Construction on the project commenced in April of 1923, under the supervision of Bradfield who had been appointed as chief engineer. It began with the demolition of many colonial buildings on the southern side of the harbour in Sydney's oldest suburb, The Rocks. On the northern side, workshops were established at Milson's point for the manufacturing of the steel parts for the bridge.

At the same time, a settlement for 250 stonemasons and their families was built near the local granite quarries in the small riverside town of Moruya, 320 kilometres south of Sydney. These quarries provided the 18 000 cubic metres of granite blocks which were taken by three ships, specifically designed for this purpose, to the four pylons at the site of the bridge. The arch was built in two separate halves, stretching out over the harbour until they were joined in the middle. In August 1930, the steel cables which were anchoring the two halves were loosened and both sides of the Bridge were lowered to allow them to be bolted into place. The first of two major phases was complete and it was celebrated with a half-day holiday and a bonus of two shillings for the bridge workers. See image 2 The second and last phase involved suspending the steel deck from the arch and the road, tram and rail lines being built. Bradfield had stipulated that the Bridge had to be wide enough to accommodate the traffic of the future as well, owing to growth in the mass production of automobiles.

The roadway which linked the two sides of the Bridge was named the Bradfield Highway, after his contributions to the conception, construction and completion of the Bridge. The Bridge was then tested by 96 steam locomotives in February of 1932, prior to its opening the following month. When the Bridge was finished the arch span covered 503 metres, at 135 metres above sea level. The total length of the Bridge was 1149 metres. It weighed a total of 52 800 tonnes, with the entire weight resting on four steel bearings set in high-grade concrete which was dug 12.2 metres into the ground. Consequently, the 89 metre high granite-faced concrete pylons were completely for aesthetic purposes. The deck which originally had a roadway, two railway tracks, two footways and two tramway tracks, was 49 metres wide, making it the widest longspan bridge in the world. That record has remained unbroken to this day, however the deck has since been converted to carry two train lines, eight vehicle lanes, a cycleway and a footway. The total financial cost of the Bridge was twice the price which was originally quoted.

At 10 057 170 pounds, 7 shillings and 9 pence, tolls in both directions were relied on to pay off the Bridge. Owing to only the wealthy being able to afford cars, the toll was charged at a rate per person and was quite high. The Bridge was paid off in full in 1988 and although a toll now applies per vehicle only to south bound traffic, the price has continued to rise. See image 3 The opening and the controversy The Sydney Harbour Bridge was officially opened on 19 March 1932 in front of three-quarters of a million people. It was a day of remarkable celebration, involving a parade of floats and marching bands, fireworks and carnivals, as well as a procession of passenger ships and an aerial display by the Royal Australian Air Force. After the pageant, the public walked across the deck of the Bridge. Songs and poems were written about the proud opening of the Bridge and stamps were printed to commemorate the event. See video While the day appeared to be one of joyful excitement and celebration, just beneath the surface was a great deal of political tension.

A predominantly middle- class political group called the New Guard, which had formed in Sydney in 1931, had been plotting to use the opening of the Bridge to publicly make a political statement against New South Wales Premier, Jack Lang. The New Guard was an anti-Labor group, thought to have up to 50 000 members in New South Wales at one stage. It was led by World War I veteran, Colonel Eric Campbell. Almost resembling a military organisation in its structure, it strongly-appealed to ex-servicemen. The group considered themselves as nationalists and therefore totally against any socialism or communism. Its members were suspicious of Premier Lang's response to the Depression, believing that he was a communist. In accordance with their plan, to the amusement of some and to the disgust of others, New Guard member, Captain Francis de Groot upstaged Premier Lang, who was set to officially open the Bridge, by riding in on horseback and slashing the ribbon with his sword. Premier Lang then had to wait for the ribbon to be retied before he could ceremonially cut the ribbon with his golden scissors. Captain de Groot was rushed away by police and later fined ï¿½5 for offensive behaviour.

However, in a positive turn for the New Guard, Lang was dismissed as the New South Wales Premier only two months after the Bridge opened. After the dismissal of the Lang government, the New Guard had achieved its primary aim and as a result, no longer had a common goal. The Australian economy also slowly began to improve and it caused the group to lose momentum. While this particular movement could not be sustained, similar right-wing notions have continued to play a role in the sphere of Australian politics. See image 4, see animation Australia's pride for the Bridge The fact that the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge had to be postponed until after the First World War, indicates that it did not go unaffected by the events which were taking place in rest of the world. When the building of the Bridge got underway in 1923, the Australian economy was thriving. The problem was that the Sydney Harbour Bridge and other large-scale projects were all funded by money which was lent from overseas. It did not take long before the government struggled in making the repayments and when the Great Depression hit Australia in 1929, they were in serious economic trouble. Despite the difficulties of the time, the construction of the Bridge forged on.

It provided employment for more than 1400 men who might not have had a job, particularly during the years of the Depression, if it had not been for the Bridge. As a result, to many Australians the Sydney Harbour Bridge symbolises more than just the impressive ability of man- power. It was Sydney and Australia's own symbol of defiance and strength against the Depression. For this reason, the opening of the Harbour Bridge, which occurred in the middle of the Depression, was a spectacular event and a proud moment for all Australians. Still today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is admired by amongst Australians and foreigners. It is one of Sydney's main tourist attractions, with the introduction of Bridge Climb tours in 1998 making it an even more popular way to see Sydney Harbour. It also acts as a billboard for special events such as the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, during which the Olympic Rings were displayed on the Bridge. Also in recent times, each year for the New Year's Eve fireworks, meaningful symbols including the word 'eternity' and an image of a dove have been displayed. Since its opening, the Bridge has been closed to vehicles three times.

The 50th anniversary of the Bridge was celebrated in 1982 by pedestrians being able to walk over the Bridge, the 'Walk for Reconciliation' was held in May 2000 in a symbolic crossing of the Bridge and the 75th anniversary of the Bridge was celebrated on March 18, 2007. See image 5 Other Chapters Sydney the Harbour City : Sydney Harbour Bridge : Sydney Opera House : Taronga Zoo : Blue Mountains : Darling Harbour : sydney.com.au » 5-Day Sydney to Byron Bay Surfing Adventure This week in Sydney Ferries pass under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on their way to and from the Paramatta River. More pictures below. Splendour and power of the Sydney Harbour Bridge The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney's two most famous landmarks, the other being the Opera House. The pedestrian walkway across the bridge gives visitors some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, Opera House and Circular Quay - and they're free! Completed in 1932, the construction of the bridge - known locally as "The coathanger" - was an economic feat as well as an engineering triumph.

Prior to the bridge being built, the only links between the city centre in the south and the residential north were by ferry or by a 20 kilometre (12½ mile) road route that involved five bridge crossings. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is known locally as the "Coat Hanger", took eight years to build, including the railway line. The bridge was manufactured in sections on a site that is now occupied by Luna Park fun fair. Construction on the bridge began in December, 1926. The foundations, which are 12 metres (39 feet) deep, are set in sandstone. Anchoring tunnels are 36 metres (118 feet) long and dug into rock at each end. Construction on the arch began in November, 1929. It was built in halves with steel cable restraints initially supporting each side. The arch spans 503 metres (1650 feet) and supports the weight of the bridge deck, with hinges at either end bearing the bridge's full weight and spreading the load to the foundations. The hinges allow the structure to move as the steel expands and contracts in response to wind and changes in temperatures.

By October, 1930, the two arch halves had met and work then began on the deck. The deck is 59 metres (194 feet) above sea level and was built from the center out. The Harbour Bridge was officially opened on 19 March 1932. The total cost of the Bridge was approximately 6.25 million Australian pounds ($A13.5 million), and was eventually paid off in 1988. The initial toll for a car was 6 pence (5 cents) and a horse and rider was 3 pence (2 cents). Today the toll costs $3.00. The toll is now used for bridge maintenance and to pay for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. The annual maintenance costs are approximately $5 million. More than 150,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day. The bridge was built by 1400 workers, 16 of whom were killed in accidents during construction. Painting the bridge has become an endless task.

Approximately 80,000 litres (21,000 gallons) of paint are required for each coat, enough to cover an area equivalent to 60 soccer fields. Before Paul Hogan (from the movie Crocodile Dundee) became famous, he worked on the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a painter. Recommended for all visitors to Sydney is the Pylon Lookout. Inside the Lookout is a fascinating display on how this bridge was built. Entry to the Pylon is from the pedestrian walkway on the Harbour Bridge. You can get to the walkway via the stairs in Cumberland Street, The Rocks , or from near Milsons Point Station on the north side. The Pylon Lookout is open every day except Christmas Day. The bridge by day You get an entirely different perspective of the bridge when you see it from Observatory Hill, which can be accessed from The Rocks. The bridge and Luna Park seen from the shores of Lavender Bay. The Australia artist Brett Whitely made Lavender Bay famous through a series of stunning paintings. A ferry departs for Circular Quay, having just dropped passengers off at the Milsons Point wharf.

You can catch a ferry to Milsons Point, walk up the stairs onto the bridge's pedestrian walkway, and walk back across the Sydney harbour Bridge to The Rocks and Circular Quay. The bridge by night The bridge takes on different guises at night, depending on where you view it from. Most popular Sydney activities Sydney’s Harbour Bridge Finally Completed - The Arts Years 9-10 About the Video Clip: Video Clip Synopsis: For 6 years the two half arches gradually draw closer together. A dream is realised when the heaviest and biggest bridge arch in the world is finally completed. Duration: Sydney’s Harbour Bridge Finally Completed is an excerpt from the film Sydney’s Harbour Bridge (8 mins), produced in 1933. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge: Officially opened on 19 March 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was a massive engineering undertaking that transformed the city. This short film documents the construction of one of the world’s great landmarks in its various stages, and provides a fascinaing glimpse of life around Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay in the twenties and thirties. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge was filmed over several years and edited to celebrate the opening.

Sydney’s Harbour Bridge was produced by the Department of Commerce. Study Module Responding, reflecting on and evaluating the arts RRE 6, 7. 8 Context / Background Information Opened in 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world's largest steel arch bridge. Its massive span is constructed of British and Australian steel and supported by reinforced concrete foundations dug to a depth of 12.2 metres. Four imposing, granite-faced pylons rise 89 metres to complete the image of what is possibly Australia's best-known symbol. As work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge progressed, the structure became the talk of Sydney. Many people wondered whether the two half-arches gradually stretching from the north and south shores of the harbour would meet as intended. Yet meet they did – due to the meticulous skills of the engineers, stevedores and other workers involved in the project. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was not just a remarkable feat of engineering. It was a work of art that appealed to the imaginations of filmmakers, painters and photographers who admired the intriguing geometric design and the saga of the bridge's construction. The video clip of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one dramatic example of these artistic tributes.

The video clip's close-up and distant views create an interesting paradox, at some points concentrating on the strength and solidity of the structure and at others on the elegance of a design likened to 'the delicate tendrils of a hothouse plant'. Discussion Pointers Why is the Sydney Harbour Bridge internationally recognised as a symbol of Australia? If you wanted to draw, film or photograph the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where would you choose to stand to undertake that task? Give reasons for your choice. What is the most striking feature of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Its size, location or design? Suggested Classroom Activities Consider three different ways of creating images of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during its construction - in cinematography, photography, and painting. Watch the video clip. How does the filmmaker create impressions of both the strength and delicacy of the structure? See if you can locate some of the photographs by Henri Mallard. How did Mallard obtain his dramatic images? What ‘story’ of the Bridge is he trying to tell us? Find these two famous paintings by Grace Cossington-Smith ; The Curve of the Bridge, The Bridge in Curve. How do Cossington-Smith’s paintings achieve a sense of vibrancy and movement in an immovable object?

Discuss the importance of vantage point, contrast and perspective in creating artistic images. Compare the approaches taken by each artist (filmmaker, photographer and painter). What use of contrast is evident in their images? What is the vantage point of each artist? What impressions of the Sydney Harbour Bridge do they wish to create? How successful are they in doing this? Sydney's Harbour Bridge - YouTube Sydney's Harbour Bridge Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Dec 8, 2010 Made by the Cinema Branch 1933. Directed by Lyn T Maplestone. Officially opened on 19 March 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was a massive engineering undertaking that transformed the city. This short film documents the construction of one of the world's great landmarks in its various stages, and provides a fascinating glimpse of life around Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay in the twenties and thirties.

The Cinema Branch regularly filmed events of special interest to the nation. There were at least 3 different films on the progress of the bridge. Sydney's Harbour bridge was filmed over several years and edited to celebrate the opening. Category Sydney's Harbour Bridge Finally Completed - Australian History, Australian Icon Sydney's Harbour Bridge Finally Completed Video clip synopsis – For 6 years the two half arches gradually draw closer together. A dream is realised when the heaviest and biggest bridge arch in the world is finally completed. Year of production - 1933 Further Resources How to Download the Video Clip To download a free copy of this Video Clip choose from the options below. These require the free Quicktime Player . Premium MP4 shb_pr.mp4 (15.1MB). You can buy this clip on a compilation DVD . About the Video Clip Sydney’s Harbour Bridge Finally Completed is an excerpt from the film Sydney’s Harbour Bridge (8 mins), produced in 1933. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge: Officially opened on 19 March 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was a massive engineering undertaking that transformed the city.

This short film documents the construction of one of the world’s great landmarks in its various stages, and provides a fascinaing glimpse of life around Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay in the twenties and thirties. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge was filmed over several years and edited to celebrate the opening. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge was produced by the Department of Commerce. Background Information top The city of Sydney grew on two opposite sides of a harbour. By 1923 the two sides could be reached by a short ferry ride, or by a 20 kilometre road trip over the nearest bridge. A new bridge to connect the two was needed. In that year a contract was signed to build a steel arch bridge. This was the strongest design for the money at the time. Construction continued for the next seven years, with workers and materials coming from all over the world. The cantilevers met over the middle of the harbour in 1930. When construction started on the bridge, business was booming in Australia. But by 1929, an economic depression had set in.

The bridge helped many during this period, as an average of 1,400 people were employed each year to work on its construction, with many more getting jobs supplying materials like sand and rivets. As the working week was gradually reduced from 48 to 33 hours during the building of the bridge, more people were given jobs working on the bridge. The bridge was finally opened in 1932. The opening was disrupted when a member of the New Guard, Francis De Groot, slashed the ribbon with his sword before the Premier Jack Lang could do it. The bridge has become one of the most internationally recognisable symbols of Australia. Classroom Activities Before viewing the video clip, brainstorm and write a definition for the term ‘icon’. Check it using a dictionary. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is often described as an ‘Australian icon’. What does this mean? View the video clip with the sound turned off. List, in point form, what is happening in the video clip. View the video clip again with the sound on. Describe how this changes your impression of what’s happening in the video clip. Sixteen workers fell to their death building the bridge.

Describe the working conditions on the bridge and give reasons why you think there were not better safety conditions. Imagine that you have been asked to create a new 400-word voice-over narration for this video clip. List the aspects of the bridge that you would like to see covered — for example why it was built, who built it and how, what it felt like when it was built, etc. Use information from the video clip as well as your own research to write the new narration. Make sure you mention the term ‘Australian icon’. Present your narration to the class by reading it out loud while the video clip is being played, with the sound turned off. ★ Info about the Sydney Harbour Bridge. T he Sydney Harbour Bridge, also affectionately known as the 'Coathanger', was opened on March 19th 1932 by Premier Jack Lang , after six years of construction. Made of steel the bridge contains 6 million hand driven rivets. The surface area that requires painting is equal to about the surface area of 60 sports fields. The Bridge has huge hinges to absorb the expansion caused by the hot Sydney sun. You will see them on either side of the bridge at the footings of the Pylons.

You can have a close hand look while you are in Sydney by visiting the South Eastern Pylon . It is a walking trip and recommended for the fit only. It is a longish walk to get to the base of the Pylon and then there are 200 steps to the top. Entry for adults is now $8.50 (23 June 2003), kids between 8 and 12 years three dollars and under 8 years its free. (Prices valid until 30 November 2003). The views and photo opportunities are fantastic. (If you can make it, we've got to say it is tough). There is a great display on how the thing was built. It has a similar place in Sydney history to the Statue of Liberty in New York as far as many migrants to Australia go. In sight of the bridge you knew you had made it. The displaced peoples of Europe who came to Australia in the days of the grand ships can get very misty when you ask them what they felt when they saw this grand old arch on their arrival in Sydney from the aftermath of World War Two as they sailed up Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour).

The old Bridge has been replaced as "the" landmark of Sydney by the bold architecture of the Opera House. But a grand old bridge it is, and one you will remember whenever you think of Sydney after your visit. When it opened it cost a car six pence to cross. A horse and rider was 3 pence. These days a return trip (for some reason the only kind) costs two dollars twenty (gst). Horses and riders are banned, that's the changing times. You can walk across free and you are allowed to bicycle in a special lane. Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world's largest (but not longest as thats the New River Gorge in the USA) steel arch bridge, and, in its beautiful harbour location, has become a renowned international symbol of Australia. Its total length including approach spans is 1149 metres and its arch span is 503 metres. The top of the arch is 134 metres above sea level and the clearance for shipping under the deck is a spacious 49 metres. The total steelwork weighs 52,800 tonnes, including 39,000 tonnes in the arch.

The 49 metre wide deck makes Sydney Harbour Bridge the widest Longspan Bridge in the world. It now carries eight vehicle lanes, two train lines, a footway and a cycleway. After inviting worldwide tenders in 1922, the New South Wales Government received twenty proposals from six companies and on 24 March 1924; the contract (for Australian 4,217,721 pounds 11 shillings and 10 pence!) was let to the English firm Dorman Long and Co of Middlesbrough. The general design was prepared by Dr J.J.C Bradfield and officers of the NSW Department of Public Works, while the detailed design and crucial erection process were undertaken by the contractors consulting engineer Mr (later Sir) Ralph Freeman of Sir Douglas Fox and Partners and his associate Mr. G.C Imbault. Some other designs that where not choosen can be found here . As Chief Engineer of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Metropolitan Railway Construction from 1912, Dr Bradfield is regarded as the "father" of the Bridge as it was his vision, enthusiasm, engineering expertise and detailed supervision of all aspects of its construction which brought Sydney's long held dream into reality.

The contractors, under Director of Construction, Lawrence Ennis, set up two workshops at Milsons Point on the North Shore. Here, the steel (79% imported from England, 21% from Australian sources) was fabricated into girders etc. The foundations for the four main bearings, which carry the full weight of the main span were dug to a depth of 12.2 metres and filled with special reinforced high-grade concrete laid in hexagonal formations. The four impressive, decorative 89 metre high pylons are made of concrete, faced with granite, quarried near Moruya, where about 250 Australian, Scottish and Italian stonemasons and their families lived in a temporary settlement. Three ships were specifically built to carry the 18,000 cubic metres of cut, dressed and numbered granite blocks, 300km north to Sydney. After the approach spans were erected, work began on the main arch. Two half-arches were built out progressively from each shore, each held back by 128 cables anchored underground through U-shaped tunnels.

Steel members were fabricated in the workshops, placed onto barges, towed into position on the harbour and lifted up by two 580 tonne electrically operated creeper cranes, which erected the half-arches before them as they travelled forward. There was great excitement on 20 August 1930 after the arch was successfully joined at 10pm the night before. The steel decking was then hung from the arch and was all in place within nine months, being built from the centre outwards to save time moving the cranes. As the project neared completion, the last of approximately six million Australian made rivets were driven through the deck on 21 January 1932. In February 1932 the Bridge was test loaded using up to 96 steam locomotives placed in various configurations. The official opening day on Saturday 19 March 1932 was a momentous occasion, drawing remarkable crowds (estimated between 300,000 and one million people) to the city and around the harbour foreshores. The NSW Premier, the Hon. John T. Lang, officially declared the Bridge open.

However, the Premier enlivened proceedings when Captain Francis De Groot of the para-military group, the New Guard, slashed the ribbon prematurely with his sword, prior to the official cutting. This incident caused both amusement and dismay on the day and has since become part of Australian folklore. The opening celebrations included a vast cavalcade of decorated floats, marching groups and bands proceeding through the city streets and across the deck in a pageant of surprising size and quality, considering the economic depression. The celebrations continued with a gun-salute, a procession of passenger ships under the Bridge, a 'venetian' carnival, a fly-past, fireworks, sports carnivals and exhibitions. After the pageant the public was allowed to walk across the deck an event not repeated until the 50th anniversary of the Bridge in 1982. Some enthusiastic ones celebrated by unofficially climbing up the arch. The Harbour Bridge is an essential artery feeding traffic to and from Sydney. Below our traffic statistics and facts and figures. Below some more ancient pictures that where taken a long time ago 'probably' during the construction. I got these pictures from someone else who scanned them in for me. Thanks mate..

If someone else has other nice pictures please let me know so the collection can be further increased. The cranes had played a very important part in both the construction and ongoing maintenance of the bridge. During construction of the main arch between 1929 and 1931, two huge creeper cranes moved outwards, laying their tracksas they progressed. Behind them moved the four maintenance cranes, used initially by the riveting and painting gangs until they had to be dismantled to allow the creeper cranes to pass by and be removed in pieces near the pylons. The maintenance cranes were then re-erected on the arch and remained in service until their removal in 1997. Happy Birthday Harbour Bridge - ABC Sydney - Australian Broadcasting Corporation 15 March, 2012 10:20AM AEDT Happy Birthday Harbour Bridge Permalink Share It's been lit up in dazzling colour, crossed by elephants, scaled, photographed, picnicked and paraded on, and sailed under. Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge has been the centre of more activity and hubbub than most other structures around the world. Now it's being celebrated.

The Coathanger, as it is affectionately known, is celebrating its 80th birthday. A special 1930s-themed picnic party will be held this Sunday at Bradfield Park to mark the 80th anniversary of its opening on 19 March 1932. NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay says the event - held between 9.30am and 2pm - includes historic displays, vintage fashion parades, big bands and roving entertainment. "Several special guests with links to the bridge will also attend the day to share their stories about the structure," he says. The Sydney Harbour Bridge - 1149m long including the 503m arch - is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's widest long-span bridge. It took almost 10 years to build and cost 6.25 million pounds. After many false starts and countless re-designs, work began on the Dr John Job Crew Bradfield-designed structure in July 1923. More than 800 buildings in the Rocks and North Sydney were demolished to make way for the structure.

Construction involved 1400 workers, 52,800 tonnes of steel, 6 million rivets weighing 3200 tonnes and 95,000 cubic metres of concrete. And 272,000 litres of paint were used in the first three coats on the bridge. It was officially opened on March 19, 1932 and just a few weeks later six circus elephants crossed the bridge at a cost of two pence a head. Upon opening, some 11,000 vehicles crossed the bridge every day. Now 160,000 vehicles each day make the journey. Did you know...? The bridge's highest point is 134m above sea level, and there is 49m clearance underneath it for shipping. Around 4000 broken-down vehicles are removed from the bridge each year. More than 100 people work on maintaining the bridge each day. The arch can rise and fall as much as 18cm due to heating and cooling. The flags on top of the bridge are replaced every four to six months.

Sydney Harbour Bridge | AAT Kings Sydney Harbour Bridge Destinations » Sights » Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Harbour Bridge No visit to Sydney is complete without a good glimpse of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Affectionately nicknamed "The Coat Hanger" due to its distinct shape, this iconic steel arch bridge was built to link the harbour from north to south. The bridge was officially and infamously opened in 1932, twice. Before the then NSW Premier, John 'Jack' T. Lang could cut the ribbon, Captain Francis De Groot rode slashed the ribbon with his sword in protest as he believed that the bridge should only be opened by a member of the Royal Family. De Groot was detained, the ribbon was re-tied and the Premier officially cut the ribbon, again. It took 1400 workers nine years to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s one of Australia’s most photographed landmarks and on New Year’s Eve, millions around the world tune in the see the bridge and surrounding harbour come to life with a spectacular fireworks display. With so many eyes on this masterpiece, it must be kept looking presentable. A fresh coat of paint uses 30,000 litres and takes around 10 years.

Once completed, it's time to start again. While in Sydney, you can follow in the footsteps of royals and celebrities and test your nerve as you climb to the summit of the bridge and take in amazing unparalleled views 134 metres over Sydney Harbour – a must do experience. If heights aren’t for you, climb the stairs to the lower Pylon Lookout for a walk-through history of the construction of the Bridge and for stunning views of the harbour. Bridge History: A Glimpse - BridgeClimb SydneyBridge Climb Sydney Bridge History: A Glimpse On A Day Like Today Bridge History: A Glimpse Known to Sydneysiders as ‘The Coathanger’, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world’s largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge. Connecting the northern and southern shores of Sydney’s sparkling harbour, the Bridge is an instantly recognisable symbol of Australia. The official opening day on Saturday 19 March 1932 drew huge crowds to the city and harbour foreshores, along with an impressive parade of decorated floats and marching bands through the streets and across the roadway.

At a time of economic depression and hardship, these lively celebrations signalled a new beginning and hope for a brighter future. The NSW Premier, the Hon. John T Lang was to officially declare the Sydney Harbour Bridge open, but the ceremony did not go quite to plan. Prior to the official cutting by the Premier, proceedings were enlivened by Captain Francis De Groot of the paramilitary group, The New Guard, who slashed the ribbon prematurely with his sword. The incident caused both amusement and dismay on the day and has since become a part of Australian folklore. After the pageant the public was allowed to walk across the roadway – an event not repeated until the 50th anniversary in 1982. In celebration, some members of the public unofficially began climbing up the arch – a preview to BridgeClimb, 66 years before it opened. Today, the Bridge is the heart of Sydney. Beloved by the locals, it stands as a striking feature of Sydney’s famous skyline, whether from the ground or above. It is central to the city’s everyday festivities, famously as the centrepiece of Sydney’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular.

Question: In which year was the Sydney Harbour Bridge officially opened?
Answer: 1932