Sydney Harbour Bridge (Sydney, Australia)

Influenced by The Hell Gate Bridge in New York City, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was designed and built by the British architecture firm Dorman Long and Co. Ltd.  The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened to the public in 1932 and as well as being one of the tallest steel arch bridges in the world, it is also one of the widest long-span bridges.

Located near the historic Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge carries rail, vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic between the North Shore and the Sydney Central Business District.  Sometimes referred to as the coat hanger because of its arched design, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is considered to be one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Facts

  • Many of the almost 1,400 workers employed to build the bridge were immigrants and were among the highest paid workers in the country at the time.
  • Since 1988, it has been possible to climb to the top of the bridge.
  • The bridge was built between 1924 and 1932.
  • An estimated 72,000 gallons (272,500 litres) of paint were required to give the Bridge its initial three coats.
  • During temperature changes the size of the arch changes by up to seven inches.
  • It took 6 million hand-driven steel rivets to complete the bridge.
  • It originally cost 3 pence for a horse and rider to cross the bridge.
  • The bridge is 1149 meters long.
  • The bridge is 134 meters above sea level.
  • Paul Hogan was a rigger on the bridge before making it big in shoe business.
  • 16 people died during the construction of the bridge.
  • The bridges original cost was $4.2 million and it took 55 years to pay off.