Sydney Harbour Bridge

Perception is often everything in determining how we feel about things. The Sydney Harbour Bridge (SHB) is a structure that can be perceived in many ways. What do you see when you look at the SHB?

From one perspective the SHB is a large steel bridge that allows for the efficient transport of commuters. It provides a crucial transport corridor connecting the north shore of Sydney to the city and several expressways.

Alternatively the SHB can be evaluated from an engineering perspective.

The construction of the SHB began in 1924 and finished in 1932. It was built during a period when computer assisted design and manufacture did not exist. The bridge was built from both ends so that the arch was complete when the two halves of the bridge met in the middle.

Would the two halves align when it was time for them to be joined and how would a steel bridge of this scale deal with expansion and contraction in varying weather conditions. Would the bridge be strong enough to take the large daily load of passenger vehicles and trains.

From an identity viewpoint the SHB is one of Australia’s most well known and popular symbols. It was a brilliant achievement for a young nation and the 100th year anniversary of the commencement of construction is only four years away.

That achievement came at a price. Sixteen workers lost their lives during construction and it took over 50 years to pay off the cost of building the bridge (1988).

Aesthetics as opposed to any functionality was behind the decision to build two massive granite covered pylons at each end of the SHB arch. The four pylons are 89 metres in height and the light grey colour of the granite complements the bluey grey colour of the arch.

The pylons project strength and provide symmetry when the bridge is observed from the distance.

The SHB offers ongoing activities, although a lot of people would not see it in this way.

You can simply drive across it and enjoy the view, walk or cycle across it, climb it, visit the Sydney Harbour Pylon or see it sparkle on News Year Eve when it is used for spectacular fireworks displays.

One final perspective on the bridge is captured in the words of John Bradfield (chief engineer of SHB) who described it as ‘the blue arch of Heaven’.

view from Lavender Bay

pylon power