Page 86 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

84  SY DNEY

7 Sydney Harbour Bridge

Completed in 1932, the construction of the Sydney Harbour
Bridge was an economic feat, given the depressed times, as
well as an engineering triumph. Prior to this, the only links
between the city centre on the south side of the harbour
and the residential north side were by ferry or a circuitous
20-km (12-mile) road route which involved five bridge
crossings. The single-span arch bridge, colloquially known
as the “Coathanger”, took eight years to build, including the The 1932 Opening
railway line. The bridge was manufactured in sections on The ceremony was disrupted
the latter-day Luna Park site. Loans for the total cost of when zealous royalist Francis de
Groot rode forward and cut the
approximately 6.25 million old Australian pounds were ribbon, in honour, he claimed,
eventually paid off in 1988. of King and Empire.

The deck, 59 m (194 ft) The arch spans
above sea level, was built 503 m (1,650 ft) and
from the centre. supports the weight
of the bridge deck.
City Centre

Harbour Bridge
Pylon Lookout Building the foundations

Beginning the arch
Building the Bridge
Planted in solid sandstone, the foundations are
12 m (39 ft) deep. The arch was built in halves
with steel cable restraints initially supporting
each side. Once the two halves met, work Joining the arch
began on the deck.

Anchoring tunnels Deck under construction
are 36 m (118 ft) long Support cables were
and dug into rock at slackened over a 12-day Temporary
each end. period, enabling the two attachment plate
halves to join.

The Bridge Design
The steel arch of the bridge supports
the 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 extreme temperatures.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp482–3 and pp504–7