Sydney Harbor Bridge: Where Landmarks Celebrate 90th

Since its grand opening on March 19, 1932, Sydney Harbor Bridge has become one of Australia’s most significant artifacts, connecting people and offering over-the-edge experiences.

“After eight years of construction, the two shores of Sydney have been connected, with the bridge being instantly internationally recognized as a symbol of unity and progress,” said NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet.

“It’s not just a tourist attraction, it remains a key artery for the beating heart of our city.”

Heritage Minister James Griffin said the construction of the bridge – through the vision of engineer John Bradfield – was a major event in the history of our nation.

“It is incredible to think that this bridge was completed in the midst of the Great Depression, and without the modern technology and machinery we have today,” he said.

Tomorrow, the festivities for the national icon Sydneysider will have the opportunity to go back in time and participate in events.

Start the day at Campbells Cove for free activities and musical entertainment, hosted by Playschool Luke Carroll.

Attend a vintage car show and pick up classic cars from the 1930s, while the kids play bananas during a performance of Bananas in Pajamas and Apple the Magician.

Later, sit back and relax as ABC’s Dan Bourchier takes you on a musical journey through the decades since the bridge’s opening.

The performers will include Aria Award winners James Morrison, Christine Anu (above) and more.

For a change of pace, hop on a heritage double-decker bus from North Sydney Railway Station to Wynyard Railway Station. On board, 1930s tour leaders will talk about the city’s bus history.

Historic double-decker vintage buses will operate every five minutes from North Sydney and Wynyard, as well as vintage ferries between Milsons Point and Campbells Cove every 30 minutes.

Walk around the town hall and meet swing dancers, cartoonists, acoustic bushes and 1930s paper children handing out free copies of The Daily Telegraph, event cards and a free jigsaw puzzle.

Rocks Walking Tours offers a free one-hour guided walking tour of how the bridge changed the lives of dock workers in the 1930s.

Nearby, Pancakes on the Rocks serve a Sydney Harbor Bridge pancake for just one day.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said: “Today, the bridge remains a vital and beautiful piece of infrastructure that connects CBD with Northern Sydney, joins communities and supports our economy.”

For more event information, visit Transport for NSW website.

E NATIONAL ICON

The Sydney Harbor Bridge is one of the most striking structures in Australia decorated and celebrated as a national icon, said Peter Bradfield.

He said his grandfather, John Bradfield, who died in 1943, was extremely proud that the bridge continued to symbolize the Australian invention.

“The bridge is a wonderful infrastructure that connects the city. It’s for the people of Sydney and everyone should be proud of it,” said Mr Bradfield, 80.

“It has as much relevance today as it did 90 years ago.”

Powerhouse Museum curator Anni Turnbull said the bridge was seen as a way to change and progress during the Depression era.

“It was the largest single bridge in the world at the time and certainly one of the largest structures in Australia,” she said.

Bradfield has installed four granite pylons to distinguish its shape from similar designs in Newcastle and New York’s Hell’s Gate Bridges.

“He traveled the world to research bridge developments. He would come across an arch bridge suitable for the huge span of Sydney Harbor – and cheaper by at least £ 400,000 than a Cantilever bridge.

The Powerhouse Museum has a number of commercial memorabilia such as carpets, badges and postcards that have been created since the 1930s.

Elisabeth Hirschl, 97, still remembers the first time she climbed over the bridge.

Her father James “Jim” Gordon Gray was one of the bridge’s crane operators when they lived in Hurstville in the 1930s.

“He swung in the air over ships and ferries and slipped the rope down to meet us for lunch at Observatory Hill,” she said.

“When I see it now, I have a strong feeling of being at home.”

HARBO story

As we celebrate 90 years since the grand opening of the bridge, we share the milestones of its construction and its place in our lives.

1800s

Row ships, coal-powered steam points, ferries and barges transport a growing population from Sydney’s northern shores to the southern shores.

1900

Design competition initiated by the government for a harbor crossing.

1911

Chief Design Engineer of the NSW Public Works Department John Job Crew (JJC) Bradfield proposed three designs – a cantilever, a suspension and a combination cantilever arch bridge.

1912

Bradfield appointed Chief Engineer of Sydney Harbor Bridge, City Transit and Metropolitan Railway Construction.

1922

NSW Government passes the Sydney Harbor Bridge Act (1922), and paves the way for the construction of a harbor crossing from Dawes Point (pictured, 1925) in the south to Milsons Point in the north.

1922

Twenty motifs were received from six companies following a worldwide call. Arch design by the English firm Dorman Long is recommended by Bradfield and accepted by the government.

1920s

Land is reclaimed and houses demolished.

1923

Construction began on a sod on the north coast.

1926

Concrete piers supporting approach tensions and steelwork began to be erected.

1928

Rise creeper cranes built on each side. Steel sections were collected on the floor and cranes were thrown to rivet them into place.

August 19, 1930, d

North and south arches touch for the first time.

1932

Bridge overloaded with 96 steam locomotives on four railway tracks.

March 19, 1932

Bridge officially opened.