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The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney's most famous landmarks. Completed in 1932, the construction of the bridge was an economic feat as well as and 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 kilometer (12 ½ mile) road route that involved five bridge crossings.
The bridge known locally as the "Coat Hanger". took eight years to build, including the railroad line.
Construction on the bridge began in December, 1926. The foundations, which are 12 metres (39feet) deep, are set in sandstone. Anchoring tunnels are 36 metres (118 feet) long and dug into rock at each end. |
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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 and 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. |
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By October, 1930, the two arch halves had met and work began on the deck. The deck is 59 metres (194 feet) above sea level and was built from the centre out.
The cost of building the bridge was approximately 6.25 million Australian Pounds (A$13.5 million). A toll was charged to use the bridge, initially it was 6 pence (5 cents) for a car and 3pence (2 cents) for a horse and rider. The toll today is A$2.00 and is used for bridge maintenance as well as the Sydney Harbour Tunnel completed in August 1992. More than 150,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day.
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.
It took 1400 workers to build the bridge, unfortunately 16 of those workers 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 and area equivalent to 60 soccer fields. Before Paul Hogan (from the Crocodile Dundee Movies) became famous, he worked on the bridge as a painter. |
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