- Address: Sydney Harbor Bridge, Sydney NSW, Australia;
- Website: australia.gov.au;
- Phone: +61 2 9903 2159;
- Fare: $ 2
One of the most recognizable places in Sydney is the Harbor Bridge - the giant arch bridge of the continent, and one of the largest structures of this type all over the world. This bridge in Sydney has the second name "koat hanger", which in translation means a large hanger, which is so similar to its design.
Harbor-Bridge performs an important function: connects urban areas of the city, separated by the Paramat River. Before the construction of the bridge, this part of Sydney remained practically unoccupied and was isolated from the center, since people had to travel by rail or bypass on the highway with five bridges.
Why was the bridge erected?
The idea of building a bridge that will help reunite the areas of Davis Point and Wilson Point appeared in the second half of the 19th century. The next 50 years, the government carefully chose the best option for building a bridge from the proposed 24 projects, but never finding the best announced the contest, which won the local engineer - John Job Crewe Bradfield. His recommendations served as the basis for the development of the arch bridge, authored by the Englishman Ralph Freeman. The Freeman project began to be realized in 1926 under the guidance of an experienced Bradfield.
Bridge construction: cost, features
The construction of the Harbor Bridge lasted six years and cost the state treasury $ 20 million. Today, motorists crossing the bridge pay two dollars for transportation. This symbolic fee has more than covered the multimillion-dollar costs of the past, and today it helps to keep the Sydney Harbor Bridge, providing comfort and safety for travelers.
Builders of Harbor Bridge in Australian Sydney faced technical and organizational difficulties. Since the bridge was to appear in the operating port, the work required a clear organization that would not violate its work. To do this, engineers used a console technique, the essence of which is the movement from the poles to the center of the bridge. At the same time, it became necessary to use temporary technological supports. From the design point of view, the future Sydney Bridge was a metal grate, which was supplemented by articulated supports and an arch. Despite all the difficulties, the work was completed on time.
Today, cars, railroad cars, bicyclists and pedestrians are moving along the Harbor Bridge. There is a special place for each participant of the movement.
Amazing Facts About Harbor Bridge
- Sydney Harbor Bridge is the longest bridge in the world.
- The length of the arched span of the bridge is 503 meters.
- The weight of the steel arch of the Harbor Bridge is 39,000 tons.
- Arch Harbor-Bridge soars up to 134 meters.
- In hot weather, due to the expansion of metal, the height of the arch can increase by 18 centimeters.
- The length of the bridge is 1149 meters, its width reaches 49 meters.
- The total weight of the Harbor Bridge is 52,800 tons.
- The bridge consists of parts connected by special rivets, the number of which has exceeded six million.
Helpful information
You can visit the Harbor Bridge in Sydney every day at any time convenient for you. Directions and excursions are paid. If you decide to ride on the bridge on a private car, the fee will be two dollars.
The bridge is equipped with a viewing platform, which opens views of the city and the bay. To climb to the top point of the Harbor Bridge you need to have rubberized shoes, a suit with insurance (issued on the spot), a ticket. Its cost depends on the time of day and is: at night - 198 dollars, in the daytime - 235 dollars, at dusk - 298 dollars, at dawn - 308 dollars. It is from the pylon that the best photos and video shots are obtained.
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