Australia, Sydney Harbour Bridge Construction, 1922-1933

This database contains a collection of photographs covering the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A bridge across the Sydney Harbour was initially proposed in 1815 by Francis Greenway, but it wasn’t until 1912 that J.J.C. Bradfield was appointed “Chief Engineer of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Metropolitan Railway Construction”. In 1922, following World War I, plans really began to get underway when English firm Dorman Long & Co was contracted to oversee the design and construction of the bridge. Construction began with a ground breaking on July 28th, 1923.

Finally, after 8 ½ years of construction, 18 deaths, 6 million rivets, 53 thousand tonnes of steel, and 272 thousand litres of paint, construction of the bridge was completed on January 19, 1932. The bridge was officially opened to the public on March 19, 1932. The bridge crosses the Sydney Harbour, spanning 1149 metres between Millers Point and Milsons Point. At 49 metres wide, the bridge accommodates eight lanes of traffic, two rail lines, as well as lanes for pedestrians and bicycles, and is the world’s widest long span bridge.

Nicknamed “the Coathanger” by Sydney residents because of the bridge’s arched design, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has become an icon of the Sydney Harbour Skyline. It has been featured prominently in many celebrations and events. Annually the bridge is the setting for fantastic fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve. During the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the bridge was adorned with the Olympic rings, was included in the in the torch’s route to the Olympic stadium, and was included in the men’s and women’s marathon events.