2. Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge’s construction started 1926 and the bridge
was opened in 1932 by Premier Jack Lang. The construction of the
Bridge took six years. The famous Sydney Opera House was built right
next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1973.
The bridge was built, to make getting from one side of the harbour to
the other more efficient. Automobiles were getting more popular at
that time, also boats were less efficient than a bridge or tunnel.
3. Architectural Features
If you look closely, you will
notice that there are
supporting beams inside
the bigger beams.
4. One of the most famous architectural features of
this bridge, is the arc at the top. It is possible to
climb over, but is a hard. I have never done this.
People walking
over the top part
of the bridge.
5. Challenges faced in Construction
Period
The arc at the top may be famous, but it wasn’t easy to construct. While the bridge
was being built the goverment had to keep the arc from falling inwards.
It is known that steel gets bigger when it is warm, and smaller when it is cold. The
bridge rises 18cm and falls 18 cm depending on the weather.
They found the solution to the first problem by attaching hundreds of thick steel
cables to the unfinished arc and threading them into U shaped tunnels.
Secondly the two massive hinges on the bridge allow it two move without it collapsing
in on itself in changes of temperatures.
6. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is
also known as the Coathanger On New Years Eve and
Australia Day fireworks are
realeased off the bridge.
Fun Facts
According to a person on answers.com, who goes
by the name Grevillea and has 3000 trust points,
around 160,000 cars cross the bridge a day.
Certain planes and pilots have attempted too fly under
the bridge. (See http://australia.gov.au/about-
australia/australian-story/sydney-harbour-bridge)
7. As many as 800 families had too
move to new houses, as there’s
stood in the way of the bridge.
Sad Facts
According to Grevillea again, (and http://australia.gov.au/about-
australia/australian-story/sydney-harbour-bridge) sixteen construction
workers died in the building of the bridge
8. Heights of Bridges
Steel used Cars that go Length
Bridge Location Height (tonnes) over daily (m)
Sydney Harbour Bridge Austrailia 134 m 53,000 160,000 1,149
Golden Gate Bridge America 227 m 83,000 100,000 2,749
Millau Viaduct France 343 m 24,000 50,000 2,46
Brooklyn Bridge America 83 m 14,600 150,000 1,825
Tower Bridge England 65 m 11,000 150,000 244
