The Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, has intriguing and, at times, fun facts. Continue reading to discover ten about Sydney Harbour Bridge facts.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge in Sydney, spanning Sydney Harbour from the central business district (CBD) to the North Shore. Though it hasn’t even been in place for a century, it’s difficult to imagine Sydney without its world-famous bridge, which has come to represent not only the capital city of New South Wales but all of Australia.
Amazing Sydney Harbor Bridge facts
1. Amazing Fact: Sydney Harbor Bridge is not even 100 years old
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic landmark in Australia. Along with the Sydney Opera House, it is undoubtedly Sydney’s most recognizable landmark. So it’s difficult to believe that the bridge hasn’t even been standing for a century. Compared to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, which have been standing for hundreds of years or even longer, it appears pretty young!
The bridge was completed in 1932, so it will be 90 years old in 2022. The bridge was completed in 1932, but construction began in 1926.
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2. Amazing Fact: The majority of its steel came from the other side of the world
Almost 80% of the steel used for the bridge (which weighs approximately 52,800 tonnes) was imported from the United Kingdom, requiring it to travel halfway around the world before it was used in its construction.
3. Its production was delayed due to World War I
There was talk of building a bridge before 1926, but World War I significantly slowed the design plans. Officials in Sydney had plans to build a bridge across Sydney Harbour as early as 1815. For over a century, these were just ideas.
By 1912, the plans were ready to move forward, and construction was approved by the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales in 1916. However, the Legislative Council disagreed, believing that the money spent on the bridge should go toward Australia’s war effort.
4. Sad fact: People died while constructing Sydney Harbor Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is now a positive landmark that inspires awe and wonders in both Sydney residents and visitors. But its history is not without tragedy. Sixteen of the 1400 laborers who began work on the bridge were killed. This was primarily due to construction-related accidents.
Although working on the bridge meant the end of an era for some, it was a blessing in disguise for most employees. The bridge provided stable employment for those who had suffered financial losses during the Great Depression.
5. Fun fact: It has an unusual moniker
One of my favorite fun facts about Sydney Harbour Bridge is its nickname: Sydney residents affectionately refer to it as the ‘Coat Hanger’ due to its distinctive curvy shape.
6. Fun fact: It is the largest of its kind
The largest steel arch bridge in the world is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Its renowned arch extends 503 meters (1605 feet). At 134 meters (439 feet) above sea level, the arch is tall. The arch’s steelwork alone weighs 39,000 tons. Eight vehicle lanes, two train lines, a pedestrian walkway, and a bicycle path are also supported by the bridge.
Although the bridge is not the longest, it is the biggest. That distinction belongs to the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, West Virginia.
7. On The Bridge, A Celebrity Worked As A Rigger
Though the majority of figures who have taken the spotlight and risen to global fame over the years have been Americans, there have been a few Australians who have also become global celebrities. One of these is Crocodile Dundee star, Paul Hogan. This is one of the most interesting facts about Sydney Harbor Bridge.
The 80-year-old actor and comedian were once a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Before he became famous, he lived in Granville, West Sydney, and worked on the bridge. Who knew one person could wield so much power?
8. It was based on the Hell Gate Bridge in New York
New York’s Hell Gate Bridge influenced the design of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, so named for the perilous channel it spans. Sydney Harbour is not as perilous as the Hell Gate in the East River, but the two bridges share many characteristics, such as an elegant arched shape and imposing decorative pylons.
9. Fun fact: You can climb on the Harbor Bridge
Most visitors to Sydney are content just to see the Harbour Bridge from a distance and take a few selfies. After all, the sight is breathtaking and completely free to enjoy. Then some want to climb the harbor bridge. While not free, there are several tours available that will allow you to climb up the harbor bridge.
Special birthday and wedding climbs, as well as summit and summit express tours, are among the popular bridge ascents. Many of them cost several hundred dollars and take a few hours. One of the coolest things to do in Australia, without a doubt!
10. Even getting married is possible on Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Bridge Climb isn’t just for tourists and celebrities looking for the best view; it’s also possible to tie the knot from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Stephen Tierney and Claire Tullan of Scotland were the first to marry on the bridge in June 2008. Warren Orlandi and Pauly Phillips married from the top of the arch ten years later, marking the bridge’s first gay wedding.
11. 1400 employees built the bridge over a period of 8 years
The Sydney Harbour Bridge’s construction took eight years and 1400 skilled people to complete. The bridge was constructed using nearly 6 million hand-driven rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel. The 272,000 liters of paint were used to complete the project.
12. The bridge is being painted continuously
The Sydney bridge is painted frequently to keep it looking new and to shield the building from the elements. Since the bridge is so big, it takes a team of 100 people and two robots to paint it, and by the time they are done, it’s time to start over!
13. The bridge’s arch fluctuates in height
Sydney Harbour Bridge’s imposing arch may fluctuate in height by up to 18 centimeters depending on the weather. This results from alterations in air conditions, which cause the bridge to expand and contract depending on whether it is extremely hot or cold.
14. Technically, the bridge was opened twice
A great pageant was held to commemorate Australia’s exit from the tough years of the Depression with the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was a significant occasion.
Francis de Groot, an extreme right-wing New Guard group member, rode into the crowd moments before the ceremonial opening and sliced the ribbon with a sword.
Jack Lang, the premier of Fresh South Wales, who was meant to cut the ribbon, was so enraged that he detained De Groot and strung a new ribbon across the bridge to serve as the formal opening.
15. Vincent Kelly, a laborer, managed to survive a 55-meter fall from the bridge
Sadly, accidents happened frequently while building the bridge, but one of the most incredible survivor tales involves a man named Vincent Kelly. He slipped while working on the bridge in October 1930 and plummeted 55 meters into the harbor below.
He miraculously managed to flip in the air and splash feet first into the sea. The business supervising the construction gave him a medal after he recovered from his injuries, which included a few broken ribs.
16. To lay the foundations, more than 250 stonemasons were sent to Australia
It was necessary to quarry the granite for the bridge’s foundations on New South Wales’s south coast. Over 250 stonemasons with the necessary technical abilities and their families were imported to Sydney from Europe, primarily from Scotland and Italy, to accomplish this.
17. Australia didn’t complete the bridge’s financing until 1988
The final cost of building the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was eye-watering and expensive, was close to £10 million. The total amount owed wasn’t settled until 1988.
18. During the Sydney 2000 Olympics, the bridge housed the Olympic Rings
The Olympic Rings were strung from the bridge during the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and served as the focal point of the fireworks show that marked the closing ceremony.
19. There have been some daring stunts there
Philippe Petit, a well-known tightrope walker and daredevil hung a wire between the two pylons at the southern end of the bridge in 1973 and made it across without falling. The next year, he would walk a wire between the World Trade Center’s twin buildings in New York.
20. It serves as the focal point of Sydney’s New Year fireworks show
The New Year’s fireworks in Sydney, perhaps the best in the world, are often concentrated around Port Jackson and the bridge itself. An additional rope light show that illuminates Sydney Harbour Bridge typically reflects the celebration’s theme for the year. Some explosions even fall into the water from above, producing a stunning waterfall effect.
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