View source for Sydney Harbour Bridge

{{short description|Bridge across Sydney Harbour in Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name                = Sydney Harbour Bridge
| image               = Sydney Harbour Bridge-16 October 2025.jpg
| image_upright       = 1.3
| caption             = Sydney Harbour Bridge from the northwest in 2025
| coordinates         = {{coord|33|51|08|S|151|12|38|E|region:AU-NSW|display=inline,title}}
| carries             = [[Bradfield Highway, Sydney|Bradfield Highway]]<br>[[Cahill Expressway]]<br>[[North Shore railway line]]<br>[[footpath]]<br>[[Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway|cycleway]]
| crosses             = [[Port Jackson]]
| locale              = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia 
| starts              = [[Dawes Point]]
| ends                = [[Milsons Point]]
| owner               = [[Transport for NSW]]
| maint               = Transport for NSW
| preceded            = [[Gladesville Bridge#1881 bridge|Gladesville Bridge (1881)]]
| design              = [[Through arch bridge]]
| material1           = [[Steel]]
| material2           = [[Granite]]-faced [[concrete]]
| length              = {{Convert|1149|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| width               = {{Convert|48.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| height              = {{Convert|134|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| mainspan            = {{Convert|503|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| number_spans        = 1
| clearance_below     = {{Convert|49|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} at mid-span
| lanes               = 8
| num_track           = 2
| track_gauge         = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| electrification     = [[List of current systems for electric rail traction|1500 V DC]] [[Overhead line|overhead]]
| architect           = 
| designer            = 
| builder             = [[Dorman Long]]
| fabricator          = 
| begin               = {{start date|1923|7|28|df=y}}
| complete            = {{start date|1932|1|19|df=y}}
| cost                = 
| open                = {{start date|1932|3|19|df=y}}
| inaugurated         = {{start date|1932|3|19|df=y}}
| replaced_by         = [[Sydney Harbour Tunnel]]<br>(concurrent use since 1992)
| traffic             = 
| toll                = Time-of-day (southbound only)
| mapframe-wikidata   = yes
| extra = 
{{Infobox designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = ANHL
| designation1_offname = ''Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bradfield Hwy, Dawes Point – Milsons Point, NSW, Australia''
| designation1_type = National Heritage List
| designation1_date = 19 March 2007
| delisted1_date = 
| designation1_partof = 
| designation1_number = {{ANHL|105888}}
| designation1_free1name =  Class
| designation1_free1value = Historic
| designation1_free2name =  Place File No.
| designation1_free2value = 1/12/036/0065
| designation1_free3name = 
| designation1_free3value =
| designation2 = New South Wales State Heritage Register
| designation2_offname = ''Sydney Harbour Bridge, approaches and viaducts (road and rail); Pylon Lookout; Milsons Point Railway Station; Bradfield Park; Bradfield Park North; Dawes Point Park; Bradfield Highway''
| designation2_type = State heritage (complex / group)
| designation2_date = 25 June 1999
| delisted2_date = 
| designation2_partof = 
| designation2_number = 781
| designation2_free1name =  Type
| designation2_free1value = Road Bridge
| designation2_free2name =  Category
| designation2_free2value = Transport – Land
| designation2_free3name = 
| designation2_free3value = }}}}

The '''Sydney Harbour Bridge''' is a steel [[through arch bridge]] in [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]], spanning [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] from the [[Sydney central business district|central business district]] (CBD) to the [[North Shore (Sydney)|North Shore]]. The view of the bridge, the Harbour, and the nearby [[Sydney Opera House]] is widely regarded as an iconic image of Sydney, and of Australia itself. Nicknamed '''"the Coathanger"''' because of its arch-based design, the bridge carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.<ref name="7bwh">{{cite web|title=7BridgesWalk.com.au|work=Bridge History|url=http://www.7bridgeswalk.com.au/pages/bridge-history.php#sydharbourbridge|access-date=23 October 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829175704/http://www.7bridgeswalk.com.au/pages/bridge-history.php#sydharbourbridge|archive-date=29 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-harbour-bridge|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge|publisher=[[Government of Australia]]|date=14 August 2008|access-date=29 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512054556/http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-harbour-bridge|archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref>

Under the direction of [[John Bradfield (engineer)|John Bradfield]] of the [[NSW Public Works|New South Wales Department of Public Works]], the bridge was designed and built by British firm [[Dorman Long]] of [[Middlesbrough]], and opened in 1932.<ref name="pl-jb">{{cite web|title=Dr J.J.C. Bradfield|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16572812|title=Olympic connections across the UK|work=[[BBC News]]|date=19 January 2012|access-date=19 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320080047/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16572812|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The bridge's general design, which Bradfield tasked the NSW Department of Public Works with producing, was a rough copy of the [[Hell Gate Bridge]] in [[New York City]]. The design chosen from the tender responses was original work created by Dorman Long, who leveraged some of the design from its own [[Tyne Bridge]].<ref name=bridging-sydney>{{cite web|url=http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?article=3&issueid=200703&typeon=1#jumptoitem2007030301|title=Radar Exhibition – Bridging Sydney|year=2007|author=James Weirick|access-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906134244/https://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=200703&article=3&typeon=1#jumptoitem2007030301|archive-date=6 September 2008|url-status=live|author-link=James Weirick}}</ref>

It is the [[List of the largest arch bridges|eleventh-longest spanning-arch bridge]] in the world and the tallest steel [[arch bridge]], measuring {{Convert|134|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} from top to water level.<ref name="culture.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/harbourbridge|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge|work=culture.gov.au|publisher=Australian Government|access-date=1 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920172424/http://cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/harbourbridge/|archive-date=20 September 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also the world's widest long-span bridge, at {{convert|48.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide, until construction of the new [[Port Mann Bridge]] in [[Vancouver]] was completed in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/10000/widest-bridge|title=Widest Bridge|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=15 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914200138/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/10000/widest-bridge|archive-date=14 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmh1project.com/in-your-community/in-your-community-port-mann-bridge/Pages/default.aspx|title=Port Mann Bridge|year=2007|work=Transportation Investment Corporation|publisher=Province of British Columbia|location=British Columbia|access-date=15 September 2012|quote=Once complete, the new 10-lane Port Mann Bridge will the second largest and longest cable-supported bridge in North America, and at 65 metres wide it will be the widest bridge in the world.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911095545/http://www.pmh1project.com/in-your-community/in-your-community-port-mann-bridge/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=11 September 2012}}</ref>

==Structure==
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge from the air.JPG|thumb|Sydney Harbour from the north-east with the [[Sydney Opera House|Opera House]], [[Sydney central business district|CBD]], [[Circular Quay]], the Bridge, the [[Parramatta River]], [[North Sydney, New South Wales|North Sydney]] and [[Kirribilli]] in the foreground|left]]
The southern end of the bridge is located at [[Dawes Point]] in [[The Rocks, New South Wales|The Rocks]] area, and the northern end at [[Milsons Point]] on the lower [[North Shore (Sydney)|North Shore]]. There are six original lanes of road traffic through the main roadway, plus an additional two lanes of road traffic on its eastern side, using lanes that were formerly [[Trams in Sydney|tram tracks]]. Adjacent to the road traffic, a path for pedestrian use runs along the eastern side of the bridge, whilst a [[Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway|dedicated path for bicycle use]] runs along the western side. Between the main roadway and the western bicycle path lies the [[North Shore railway line]].

The main roadway across the bridge is known as the [[Bradfield Highway, Sydney|Bradfield Highway]] and is about {{Convert|2.4|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} long, making it one of the shortest highways in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factsforkids.net/sydney-harbour-bridge-facts-kids/|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge Facts for Kids|date=12 May 2016|website=Facts For Kids|access-date=27 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227085405/http://factsforkids.net/sydney-harbour-bridge-facts-kids/|archive-date=27 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Arch===
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay.jpg|left|thumb|The bridge illuminated at night]]
The arch is composed of two 28-panel arch trusses; their heights vary from {{Convert|18|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} at the centre of the arch, to {{Convert|57|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} at the ends next to the pylons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney Bridge Information|url=http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.com.au/|date=October 2016|access-date=15 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003061447/http://sydneyharbourbridge.com.au/|archive-date=3 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

The arch has a span of {{convert|504|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, and its summit is {{Convert|134|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above mean sea level; expansion of the steel structure on hot days can increase the height of the arch by {{Convert|18|cm|in|1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-309_t-763_c-2866/the-construction-of-the-sydney-harbour-bridge/nsw/history/investigating-history/take-a-good-look|title=The construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge|work=Year 9 NSW//History//Investigating History|publisher=Red Apple Education|year=2008|access-date=27 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310163739/http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-309_t-763_c-2866/the-construction-of-the-sydney-harbour-bridge/nsw/history/investigating-history/take-a-good-look|archive-date=10 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:SydneyHarbourBridgeNutMilsonsPoint.JPG|thumb|One of the nuts that hold the bridge on its abutments; this one is at the north end. (Hand for scale)|left]]The total weight of the steelwork of the bridge, including the arch and approach spans, is {{convert|52800|t}}, with the arch itself weighing {{convert|39000|t}}.<ref name="pl-bf">{{cite web|title=Bridge Facts|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=17 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> About 79% of the steel, specifically those technical sections constituting the curve of the arch, was imported pre-formed from England, with the rest being sourced from the [[Newcastle Steelworks]].<ref name="pl-bh" /> On site, Dorman Long & Co set up two workshops at Milsons Point, at the site of the present-day [[Luna Park Sydney|Luna Park]], and fabricated the steel into the [[girder]]s and other required parts.<ref name="pl-bh" />

The bridge is held together by six million Australian-made hand-driven rivets supplied by the McPherson company of Melbourne,<ref>{{cite book|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge|publisher=[[Dorman Long|Dorman, Long & Co]]|page=13|year=1932}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Bridging Sydney|editor=C. Mackaness|publisher=[[Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales]]|year=2007}}</ref> the last being driven through the deck on 21 January 1932.<ref name="pl-bh">{{cite web|title=Bridge History|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=17 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="shb-info">{{cite web|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge Info|url=http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/|access-date=17 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412023915/http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/|archive-date=12 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The rivets were heated red-hot and inserted into the plates; the headless end was immediately rounded over with a large [[pneumatic]] [[rivet gun]].<ref name="bos-rivets">{{cite web|title=Engineering Materials: Rivets|url=http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bos.nsw.edu.au/engineering-studies/rivets.php|work=Sydney Harbour Bridge|publisher=NSW Government: Board of Studies|access-date=17 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221164703/http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bos.nsw.edu.au/engineering-studies/rivets.php|archive-date=21 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The largest of the rivets used weighed {{Convert|3.5|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and was {{Convert|39.5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="pl-bf" /><ref name="tia-shb">{{cite web|title=The Sydney Harbour Bridge |url=http://australianstory.net.au/TIA/node/7 |work=This is Australia.com.au |access-date=17 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015145242/http://australianstory.net.au/TIA/node/7 |archive-date=15 October 2009 }}</ref> The practice of riveting large steel structures, rather than welding, was, at the time, a proven and understood construction technique, whilst structural welding had not at that stage been adequately developed for use on the bridge.<ref name="bos-rivets" />

===Pylons===
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge SE Pylon, jjron, 02.12.2010.jpg|upright|thumb|The south-eastern pylon containing the tourist lookout, made of [[granite]] quarried at [[Moruya]]]]
At each end of the arch stands a pair of {{Convert|89|m|ft|0|adj=mid|-high}} concrete pylons, faced with [[granite]].<ref name="pl-ph22">{{cite web|title=South East Pylon History: 1922 – 1932|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The pylons were designed by the Scottish architect [[Thomas S. Tait]],<ref name="tait1">{{cite book|last=Smiles|first=Sam|title=Going modern and being British: 1910–1960|publisher=Intellect Books|year=1998|page=41|isbn=978-1-871516-95-1}}</ref> a partner in the architectural firm John Burnet & Partners.<ref name="glasgowsculpture">{{cite web|url=http://glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=burnet_j-son|title=John Burnet & Son|last=Nisbet|first=Gary|work=Glasgow – City of Sculpture|access-date=14 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207182850/http://glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=burnet_j-son|archive-date=7 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some 250 Australian, Scottish, and Italian [[stonemason]]s and their families relocated to a temporary settlement at [[Moruya]], {{Convert|300|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} south of Sydney, where they [[Quarry|quarried]] around {{Convert|18000|m3|ft3|0|abbr=on}} of granite for the bridge pylons.<ref name=pl-bh /> The stonemasons cut, dressed, and numbered the blocks, which were then transported to Sydney on three ships built specifically for this purpose. The Moruya quarry was managed by John Gilmore, a Scottish stonemason who emigrated with his young family to Australia in 1924, at the request of the project managers.<ref name=pl-bh /><ref>{{cite journal|journal=Inside History Magazine|title=To make a bridge. Where did the granite of the Sydney Harbour Bridge come from?|date=19 April 2014|url=http://www.insidehistory.com.au/2014/04/tae-mak-a-brig-to-make-a-bridge-where-did-the-granite-of-the-sydney-harbour-bridge-come-from/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331030121/http://www.insidehistory.com.au/2014/04/tae-mak-a-brig-to-make-a-bridge-where-did-the-granite-of-the-sydney-harbour-bridge-come-from/|archive-date=31 March 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.granitetown.com.au/moruyahistory/|title=Moruya History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311000310/http://www.granitetown.com.au/moruyahistory/|archive-date=11 March 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref> The concrete used was also Australian-made and supplied from [[Kandos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28034379|title=Kandos Cement|publisher=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=19 March 1932|access-date=8 October 2018|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924095437/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28034379|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219676124|title=Cement and the Bridge Part Played by Kandos Co|publisher=[[Lithgow Mercury]]|date=7 March 1932|access-date=8 October 2018|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924095438/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219676124|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156201488|title=Stands the Test Kandos Cement Used for Harbour Bridge|publisher=Mudgee Guardian|date=19 May 1930|website=Trove|access-date=8 October 2018|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924095438/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/156201488|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158296349|title=Kandos a Great Industry|publisher=[[The Sydney Mail]]|date=7 September 1927|access-date=8 October 2018|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924095436/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/158296349|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Abutment]]s at the base of the pylons are essential to support the loads from the arch and hold its span firmly in place, but the pylons themselves have no structural purpose. They were included to provide a frame for the arch panels and to give better visual balance to the bridge. The pylons were not part of the original design, and were only added to allay public concern about the structural integrity of the bridge.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lalor|first=Peter|title=The bridge|page=142|publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]]|orig-year=2005|year=2006|isbn=978-1-74175-027-0}}</ref>

Although originally added to the bridge solely for their aesthetic value, all four pylons have now been put to use. The south-eastern pylon contains a museum and tourist centre, with a 360° lookout at the top providing views across the Harbour and city. The south-western pylon is used by [[Transport for NSW]] to support its [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]] cameras overlooking the bridge and the roads around that area. The two pylons on the north shore include venting chimneys for fumes from the [[Sydney Harbour Tunnel]], with the base of the southern pylon containing the Transport for NSW maintenance shed for the bridge, and the base of the northern pylon containing the traffic management shed for tow trucks and safety vehicles used on the bridge.

In 1942, the pylons were modified to include parapets and anti-aircraft guns designed to assist in both Australia's defence and general war effort.<ref>{{cite web|title=1942–1945 (WWII)|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/PylonLookoutMediaKit.pdf|work=The Pylon Lookout|year=2004|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314082136/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/PylonLookoutMediaKit.pdf|archive-date=14 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===Early proposals===
[[File:Sydney harbour Bridge 1857 SLNSW FL6257399.jpg|thumb|Proposed bridge from near Dawe's Point, Sydney, 1857]]
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge designs submitted, 1900.gif|thumb|upright|Sketches of designs submitted when tenders were called for a harbour crossing in 1900]]
[[File:Ernest Stowe Proposed Sydney Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|alt=Sydney Harbour Bridge design proposed by Ernest Stowe|Three-span bridge linking [[Millers Point]] with [[Balls Head Reserve|Balls Head]] and [[Balmain, New South Wales|Balmain]], proposed by Ernest Stowe in 1922]]
There had been plans to build a bridge as early as 1814, when [[Convicts in Australia|convict]] and noted architect [[Francis Greenway]] reputedly proposed to Governor [[Lachlan Macquarie]] that a bridge be built from the northern to the southern shore of the harbour.<ref name=culture.gov /><ref name="shb-archives37">{{cite web|title=Archives In Brief 37 – A brief history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge|url=http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/archives-in-brief/archives-in-brief-37/|work=The State Archives|publisher=NSW Government|access-date=26 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218203227/http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/archives-in-brief/archives-in-brief-37|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1825, Greenway wrote a letter to the then "[[The Australian (1824 newspaper)|The Australian]]" newspaper stating that such a bridge would "give an idea of strength and magnificence that would reflect credit and glory on the colony and the Mother Country".<ref name="shb-archives37" />

Nothing came of Greenway's suggestions, but the idea remained alive, and many further suggestions were made during the nineteenth century. In 1840, naval architect Robert Brindley proposed that a [[Pontoon bridge|floating bridge]] be built. Engineer Peter Henderson produced one of the earliest known drawings of a bridge across the harbour around 1857. A suggestion for a [[truss bridge]] was made in 1879, and in 1880 a high-level bridge estimated at £850,000 was proposed.<ref name="shb-archives37" />

In 1900, the [[Lyne ministry|Lyne government]] committed to building a new [[Central railway station, Sydney|Central railway station]] and organised a worldwide competition for the design and construction of a harbour bridge, overseen by Minister for Public Works [[Edward William O'Sullivan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=A Short History of the Sydney Harbour Bridge |url=https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/about/environment/protecting-heritage/harbour-bridge-history.pdf |website=Transport NSW |access-date=17 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318082813/https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/about/environment/protecting-heritage/harbour-bridge-history.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Edward Cruttwell|G.E.W. Cruttwell]], a [[London]] based engineer, was awarded the first prize of £1,000. Local engineer [[Norman Selfe]] submitted a design for a [[suspension bridge]] and won the second prize of £500. In 1902, when the outcome of the first competition became mired in controversy, Selfe won a second competition outright, with a design for a steel [[cantilever bridge]]. The selection board were unanimous, commenting that, "The structural lines are correct and in true proportion, and... the outline is graceful".<ref name="Freyne">{{cite book |title= Norman Selfe, Man of the North Shore|last= Arthur|first= Ian |year= 2001|publisher=unpublished essay submitted for the North Shore History Prize|pages=21–24}} Cited in {{cite web|url = http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/selfe_norman|title = Selfe, Norman|last = Freyne|first = Catherine|year = 2009|work = [[Dictionary of Sydney]]|access-date = 26 May 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120624064441/http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/selfe_norman|archive-date = 24 June 2012|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}</ref> However due to an economic downturn and a change of government at the [[1904 New South Wales state election|1904 NSW State election]] construction never began.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellmoos and Murray |date=2015 |title=Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge {{!}} The Dictionary of Sydney |url=https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/building_the_sydney_harbour_bridge#:~:text=A%20design%20by%20the%20Sydney-based%20engineer,Norman%20Selfe%20was%20announced%20the%20winner.&text=A%20design%20by%20the,was%20announced%20the%20winner.&text=by%20the%20Sydney-based%20engineer,Norman%20Selfe%20was%20announced |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=dictionaryofsydney.org}}</ref>

A unique three-span bridge was proposed in 1922 by Ernest Stowe with connections at [[Balls Head Reserve|Balls Head]], [[Millers Point]], and [[Balmain, New South Wales|Balmain]] with a memorial tower and hub on [[Goat Island (Port Jackson)|Goat Island]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Design Tenders and Proposals|url=http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bostes.nsw.edu.au/building-the-bridge/design-tenders-and-proposals.php|publisher=NSW Government|access-date=3 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911105231/http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bostes.nsw.edu.au/building-the-bridge/design-tenders-and-proposals.php|archive-date=11 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McCallum|first1=Jake|title=Rare plans for the Sydney Harbour Bridge show how the iconic landmark could have looked|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/lifeline-to-auction-off-plans-for-the-sydney-harbour-bridge-after-donation-of-rare-documents/news-story/81d30d48e90ca6e90b05c41136f3d46b|access-date=3 September 2016|work=Hornsby Advocate|publisher=News Corp Australia|date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819131504/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/lifeline-to-auction-off-plans-for-the-sydney-harbour-bridge-after-donation-of-rare-documents/news-story/81d30d48e90ca6e90b05c41136f3d46b|archive-date=19 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Planning===
In 1914, [[John Bradfield (engineer)|John Bradfield]] was appointed Chief Engineer of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Metropolitan Railway Construction, and his work on the project over many years earned him the legacy as the father of the bridge.<ref name="pl-jb" /> Bradfield's preference at the time was for a [[cantilever bridge]] without piers, and in 1916 the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly|NSW Legislative Assembly]] passed a bill for such a construction, however it did not proceed as the [[New South Wales Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] rejected the legislation on the basis that the money would be better spent on the war effort.<ref name=shb-archives37 />

Following [[World War I]], plans to build the bridge again built momentum.<ref name=culture.gov/> Bradfield persevered with the project, fleshing out the details of the specifications and financing for his cantilever bridge proposal, and in 1921 he travelled overseas to investigate tenders. His confidential secretary [[Kathleen M. Butler]] handled all the international correspondence during his absence, her title belying her role as project manager as well as a technical adviser.<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 February 1924|title=The Bridge Designer and His Secretary|page=10|work=Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16128932|access-date=28 December 2020|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924095437/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16128932|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=5 December 1924|title=International Woman Suffrage News|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002219/19241205/038/0011|access-date=28 December 2020|via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref> On return from his travels Bradfield decided that an arch design would also be suitable<ref name=shb-archives37 /> and he and officers of the NSW Department of Public Works prepared a general design<ref name=culture.gov /> for a single-arch bridge based upon [[New York City]]'s [[Hell Gate Bridge]].<ref name=bridging-sydney /><ref name=repaint-rta>{{cite web|url=http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/resources/documents/permanent_panels/sydney_harbour_bridge.pdf|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge repainting|publisher=[[Roads & Traffic Authority]]|access-date=1 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713090933/http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/resources/documents/permanent_panels/sydney_harbour_bridge.pdf|archive-date=13 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1922 the government of [[George Fuller (Australian politician)|George Fuller]] passed the ''Sydney Harbour Act 1922'', specifying the construction of a high-level cantilever or arch bridge across the Harbour between Dawes Point and Milsons Point, along with construction of necessary approaches and electric railway lines,<ref name=shb-archives37 /> and worldwide [[Request for tender|tender]]s were invited for the project.<ref name=pl-jb />
[[File:Norman Selfe proposal for Sydney Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|[[Norman Selfe]]'s winning design at the second competition {{circa|1903}}]]
[[File:Hell Gate Bridge cricket.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Hell Gate Bridge]] in [[New York City]] inspired the final design of Sydney Harbour Bridge.]]
[[File:Opening_of_Tenders_(Sydney_Harbour_Bridge)_(6352488398).jpg|thumb|left|Opening of Tenders January 1924. l-r: Seated T. B. Cooper, R. T. Ball. Standing: J. J. C. Bradfield, Kathleen Butler, Mr. Swift.]]
As a result of the tendering process, the government received twenty proposals from six companies; on 24 March 1924 the contract was awarded to [[Dorman Long|Dorman Long & Co]] of [[Middlesbrough]], England well known as the contractors who later built the similar [[Tyne Bridge]] in [[Newcastle Upon Tyne]] (opened 4 years before Sydney Harbour Bridge), for an arch bridge at a quoted price of [[Australian pound|AU£]]4,217,721 11s 10d.<ref name=pl-jb /><ref name=shb-archives37 /> The arch design was cheaper than alternative cantilever and [[suspension bridge]] proposals, and also provided greater [[Stiffness|rigidity]] making it better suited for the heavy loads expected.<ref name=shb-archives37 /> In 1924, Kathleen Butler travelled to [[London]] to set up the project office within those of Dorman, Long & Co., "attending the most difficult and technical questions and technical questions in regard to the contract, and dealing with a mass of correspondence".<ref>{{cite web|date=10 October 1924|title=The Vote|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002186/19241010/008/0001|access-date=28 December 2020|via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref>

Bradfield and his staff were ultimately to oversee the bridge design and building process as it was executed by Dorman Long and Co, whose Consulting Engineer, [[Ralph Freeman (1880-1950)|Sir Ralph Freeman]] of [[Douglas Fox (engineer)#Douglas Fox & Partners|Sir Douglas Fox and Partners]], and his associate Georges Imbault, carried out the detailed design and erection process of the bridge.<ref name=pl-jb /> Architects for the contractors were from the British firm [[John James Burnet|John Burnet & Partners]] of [[Glasgow]], Scotland.<ref name="glasgowsculpture"/> Lawrence Ennis, of Dorman Long, served as Director of Construction and primary onsite supervisor throughout the entire build, alongside Edward Judge, Dorman Long's Chief Technical Engineer, who functioned as Consulting and Designing Engineer.

The building of the bridge coincided with the construction of a system of underground railways beneath Sydney's CBD, known today as the [[City Circle]], and the bridge was designed with this in mind. The bridge was designed to carry six lanes of road traffic, flanked on each side by two railway tracks and a footpath. Both sets of rail tracks were linked into the underground [[Wynyard railway station, Sydney|Wynyard railway station]] on the south (city) side of the bridge by symmetrical ramps and tunnels. The eastern-side railway tracks were intended for use by a planned rail link to the [[Northern Beaches]];<ref>{{cite NSW HD|4800281|Wynyard Former Tram Tunnels|access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref> in the interim they were used to carry [[Trams in Sydney|trams]] from the North Shore into a terminal within Wynyard station, and when tram services were discontinued in 1958, they were converted into extra traffic lanes. The [[Bradfield Highway, Sydney|Bradfield Highway]], which is the main roadway section of the bridge and its approaches, is named in honour of Bradfield's contribution to the bridge.

===Construction===
[[File:Aerial view of Sydney Harbour - the bridge is under construction.jpg|thumb|Sydney Harbour Bridge under construction]]
[[File:Early construction, Sydney Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|The arch being constructed]]
[[File:Aerial view of Sydney and Circular Quay on the day of the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 19 March, 1932 (6174053762).jpg|thumb|Southbound view on the day of the official opening, 19 March 1932]]
[[File:HMAS Canberra sailing into Sydney Harbour in 1930.jpg|thumb|[[HMAS Canberra (D33)|HMAS ''Canberra'']] sailing under the completed arch from which the deck is being suspended in 1930]]
Bradfield visited the site sporadically throughout the eight years it took Dorman Long to complete the bridge. Despite having originally championed a cantilever construction and the fact that his own arched general design was used in neither the tender process nor as input to the detailed design specification (and was anyway a rough copy of the Devil's Gate bridge produced by the NSW Works Department), Bradfield subsequently attempted to claim personal credit for Dorman Long's design. This led to a bitter argument, with Dorman Long maintaining that instructing other people to produce a copy of an existing design in a document not subsequently used to specify the final construction did not constitute personal design input on Bradfield's part. This friction ultimately led to a large contemporary brass plaque being bolted very tightly to the side of one of the granite columns of the bridge to makes things clear.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lalor |first=Peter |title=The bridge : an epic story of an Australian icon - the Sydney Harbour Bridge |date=2006 |publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=978-1-74176-069-9 |location=Crows Nest |page=237 |oclc=86108534}}</ref>

The official ceremony to mark the [[Groundbreaking|turning of the first sod]] occurred on 28 July 1923, on the spot at Milsons Point where two workshops to assist in building the bridge were to be constructed.<ref name="bos-time">{{cite web|title=Six million rivets: The timeline|url=http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bos.nsw.edu.au/building-the-bridge/rivets.php|work=Sydney Harbour Bridge|publisher=NSW Government: Board of Studies|access-date=26 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221151649/http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bos.nsw.edu.au/building-the-bridge/rivets.php|archive-date=21 February 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>North Shore Bridge ''[[Railway Gazette International|Railway Gazette]]'' 5 October 1923 page 417</ref>

An estimated 469 buildings on the north shore, both private homes and commercial operations, were demolished to allow construction to proceed, with little or no compensation being paid. Work on the bridge itself commenced with the construction of approaches and approach spans, and by September 1926 concrete piers to support the approach spans were in place on each side of the harbour.<ref name="bos-time" />

As construction of the approaches took place, work was also started on preparing the [[Foundation (engineering)|foundations]] required to support the enormous weight of the arch and loadings. Concrete and granite faced [[Abutment|abutment towers]] were constructed, with the angled foundations built into their sides.<ref name="bos-time" />

Once work had progressed sufficiently on the support structures, a giant [[Crane (machine)|creeper crane]] was erected on each side of the harbour.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nicholson|first=John|title=Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1DXydVvXi4EC|format=Google books|access-date=10 December 2009|year=2001|publisher=Allen & Unwin|isbn=978-1-86508-258-5|page=14|quote=There was one creeper crane on each side of the harbour.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101135121/https://books.google.com/books?id=1DXydVvXi4EC|archive-date=1 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> These cranes were fitted with a cradle, and then used to hoist men and materials into position to allow for erection of the steelwork. To stabilise works while building the arches, tunnels were excavated on each shore with [[Wire rope|steel cables]] passed through them and then fixed to the upper sections of each half-arch to stop them collapsing as they extended outwards.<ref name="bos-time" />

Arch construction itself began on 26 October 1928. The southern end of the bridge was worked on ahead of the northern end, to detect any errors and to help with alignment. The cranes would "creep" along the arches as they were constructed, eventually meeting up in the middle. In less than two years, on 19 August 1930, the two halves of the arch touched for the first time. Workers riveted both top and bottom sections of the arch together, and the arch became self-supporting, allowing the support cables to be removed. On 20 August 1930 the joining of the arches was celebrated by flying the flags of [[Flag of Australia|Australia]] and the [[Flag of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] from the jibs of the creeper cranes.<ref name="bos-time"/><ref>The Sydney Harbour Bridge ''Railway Gazette'' 18 March 1932 page 433</ref>

[[File:The bridge in curve 1926.jpg|thumb|left|[[Grace Cossington Smith]]'s painting of the arch under construction]]
[[File:JJC Bradfield Sydney Harbour Bridge 1932.jpg|thumb|left|[[John Bradfield (engineer)|John Bradfield]] riding the first test train across the bridge on 19 January 1932]]
Once the arch was completed, the creeper cranes were then worked back down the arches, allowing the roadway and other parts of the bridge to be constructed from the centre out. The vertical [[Tie (engineering)|hangers]] were attached to the arch, and these were then joined with horizontal crossbeams. The deck for the roadway and railway were built on top of the crossbeams, with the deck itself being completed by June 1931, and the creeper cranes were dismantled. Rails for trains and trams were laid, and road was surfaced using concrete topped with asphalt.<ref name="bos-time" /> Power and telephone lines, and water, gas, and drainage pipes were also all added to the bridge in 1931.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian Heritage Database |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=105888 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230718080249/http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=105888 |archive-date=2023-07-18 |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=www.environment.gov.au}}</ref>

The pylons were built atop the abutment towers, with construction advancing rapidly from July 1931. [[Carpenter]]s built wooden [[scaffold]]ing, with concreters and masons then setting the [[masonry]] and pouring the concrete behind it. [[wikt:ganger|Gangers]] built the steelwork in the towers, while [[Day labor|day labourers]] manually cleaned the granite with wire brushes. The last stone of the north-west pylon was set in place on 15 January 1932, and the timber towers used to support the cranes were removed.<ref name="pl-ph22" /><ref name="bos-time" />

On 19 January 1932, the first test train, a steam locomotive, safely crossed the bridge.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16834951|title=First Train to Cross the Bridge|date=20 January 1932|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|issue=29,342|location=New South Wales, Australia|page=14|via=National Library of Australia|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924100524/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16834951|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Load testing]] of the bridge took place in February 1932, with the four rail tracks being loaded with as many as 96 [[New South Wales Government Railways]] [[steam locomotive]]s positioned end-to-end.<ref>125th Anniversary Special] ''[[Roundhouse (periodical)|Roundhouse]]'' October 1980</ref> The bridge underwent testing for three weeks, after which it was declared safe and ready to be opened.<ref name="bos-time" /> The first trial run of an electric train over the bridge was successfully completed on both lines 11 March 1932.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16847486 |title=First Electric Train to Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |issue=29,387 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=12 March 1932 |access-date=17 August 2024 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> On 19 March 1932, 632 people were the first fare-paying passengers to cross the bridge by rail, paying a premium of 10 [[shilling|s.]] for the privilege, but they were not the first members of the public to do so. That distinction fell to a pair of clergymen who inadvertently boarded the test train of the previous day, and were discovered too late to be ejected.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143161986 |title=Harbor Bridge |newspaper=[[Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga)]] |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=22 March 1932 |access-date=16 August 2024 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The construction worksheds were demolished after the bridge was completed, and the land that they were on is now occupied by Luna Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lunaparksydney.com/about|title=About Luna Park - Amusement Park in Sydney {{!}} Luna Park Sydney|website=www.lunaparksydney.com|access-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216215808/http://www.lunaparksydney.com/about|archive-date=16 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The standards of industrial safety during construction were poor by today's standards. Sixteen workers died during construction,<ref name="7bwh4">{{cite web|title=AtlasDirect news |work=Harbour Bridge |url=http://www.atlasdirect.net/news/Destination%20news/Harbour%20Bridge%20celebrates%2075th%20anniversary.aspx |access-date=17 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929224049/http://www.atlasdirect.net/news/Destination%20news/Harbour%20Bridge%20celebrates%2075th%20anniversary.aspx |archive-date=29 September 2007 }}</ref> but surprisingly only two from falling off the bridge. Several more were injured from unsafe working practices undertaken whilst heating and inserting its rivets, and the deafness experienced by many of the workers in later years was blamed on the project. [[Henri Mallard]] between 1930 and 1932 produced hundreds of stills<ref>Henri Mallard (photographer); introduced by Max Dupain and Howard Tanner. "Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge". Melbourne: Sun Books in association with Australian Centre for Photography, 1976. {{ISBN|0-7251-0232-2}}</ref> and film footage<ref>The Construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, film by Mallard, Henri.; Litchfield, Frank.[Sydney]: [[Engineers Australia|Institution of Engineers, Australia]], Sydney Division, [1995].</ref> which reveal at close quarters the bravery of the workers in tough Depression-era conditions.{{citation needed|date = March 2014}}

Interviews were conducted between 1982-1989 with a variety of tradesmen who worked on the building of the bridge. Among the tradesmen interviewed were drillers, riveters, concrete packers, boilermakers, riggers, ironworkers, plasterers, stonemasons, an official photographer, sleepcutters, engineers and draughtsmen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110050485&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=MOH&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|title=Richard Raxworthy - interviews, 1982-1989, with Sydney Harbour Bridge builders, relating experiences 1923-1932|website=[[State Library of New South Wales]]|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406000449/https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110050485&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=MOH&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|url-status=live}}</ref>

The total financial cost of the bridge was [[Australian pound|AU£]]6.25 million, which was not paid off in full until 1988.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney Harbour Bridge |url=http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/sydney-harbour/sydney-harbour-bridge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227174340/http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/sydney-harbour/sydney-harbour-bridge |archive-date=27 December 2012 |access-date=3 September 2011 |work=sydney.com |publisher=Destination NSW}}</ref>

===Official opening ceremony===
The bridge was formally opened on Saturday, 19 March 1932.<ref>{{cite book|author=[[Wendy Lewis]], Simon Balderstone and John Bowan|title=Events That Shaped Australia|pages=140–142|publisher=[[New Holland Publishers]]|year=2006|isbn=978-1-74110-492-9 }}</ref> Among those who attended and gave speeches were the [[Governor of New South Wales]], [[Philip Game]], and the Minister for Public Works, [[Lawrence Ennis]]. The [[Premier of New South Wales]], [[Jack Lang (Australian politician)|Jack Lang]], was to open the bridge by cutting a ribbon at its southern end.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Museum of Australia - Sydney Harbour Bridge opens|url=https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/sydney-harbour-bridge-opens|access-date=16 January 2021|website=[[National Museum of Australia]]|language=en|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202215500/https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/sydney-harbour-bridge-opens|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Wr Opening Habrour Bridge de Groot 19.03.1932 01.jpg|left|thumb|[[Francis de Groot]] cutting the ribbon at the official opening of the Bridge, 19 March 1932]]
However, just as Lang was about to cut the ribbon, a man in military uniform rode up on a horse, slashing the ribbon with his sword and opening the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the name of the people of New South Wales before the official ceremony began. He was promptly arrested.<ref name=natgeo>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/on-this-day-in-history-opening-of-the-sydney-harbour-bridge.htm|title=On this day in history: Sydney Harbour Bridge opens|work=[[Australian Geographic]]|access-date=17 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706101439/http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/on-this-day-in-history-opening-of-the-sydney-harbour-bridge.htm|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ribbon was hurriedly retied and Lang performed the official opening ceremony and Game thereafter inaugurated the name of the bridge as Sydney Harbour Bridge and the associated roadway as the Bradfield Highway. After they did so, there was a [[21-gun salute]] and a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] [[flypast]]. The intruder was identified as [[Francis de Groot]]. He was convicted of offensive behaviour and fined £5 after a psychiatric test proved he was sane, but this verdict was reversed on appeal. De Groot then successfully sued the Commissioner of Police for wrongful arrest and was awarded an undisclosed out of court settlement. De Groot was a member of a right-wing paramilitary group called the [[New Guard]], opposed to Lang's leftist policies and resentful of the fact that a member of the [[British royal family]] had not been asked to open the bridge.<ref name=natgeo/> De Groot was not a member of the regular army but his uniform allowed him to blend in with the real cavalry. This incident was one of several involving Lang and the New Guard during that year.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

A similar ribbon-cutting ceremony on the bridge's northern side by North Sydney's mayor, Alderman Primrose, was carried out without incident. It was later discovered that Primrose was also a New Guard member but his role in and knowledge of the de Groot incident, if any, are unclear.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} The pair of golden scissors used in the ribbon cutting ceremonies on both sides of the bridge was also used to cut the ribbon at the dedication of the [[Bayonne Bridge]], which had opened between [[Bayonne, New Jersey]], and [[New York City]] the year before.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two States Open Bayonne Bridge, Forming Fifth Link|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/11/15/archives/two-states-open-bay-onne-bridge-forming-fifth-link-new-york-and-new.html|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|date=15 November 1931|page=1|access-date=30 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064620/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/11/15/archives/two-states-open-bay-onne-bridge-forming-fifth-link-new-york-and-new.html|archive-date=23 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hails Bridge at Sydney|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/03/18/archives/hails-bridge-at-sydney-port-authority-sends-greetings-on-completion.html|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|date=18 March 1932|page=43|access-date=30 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064703/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/03/18/archives/hails-bridge-at-sydney-port-authority-sends-greetings-on-completion.html|archive-date=23 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the bridge opening in the midst of the [[Great Depression]], opening celebrations were organised by the Citizens of Sydney Organising Committee, an influential body of prominent men and politicians that formed in 1931 under the chairmanship of the [[Lord Mayor of Sydney|lord mayor]] to oversee the festivities. The celebrations included an array of decorated [[Float (parade)|floats]], a procession of passenger ships sailing below the bridge, and a [[Venetian Carnival]].<ref>{{cite book | author= New South Wales Government Printing Office | year= 1932 | title= Photographs of Opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge [picture] | publisher= Government Printing Office, Sydney | url= https://primo-slnsw.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110345241&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US | access-date= 15 January 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180102035252/https://primo-slnsw.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110345241&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US | archive-date= 2 January 2018 | url-status= live | df= dmy-all }}</ref> A message from a primary school in [[Tottenham, New South Wales|Tottenham]], {{Convert|515|km|mi|abbr=on}} away in rural New South Wales, arrived at the bridge on the day and was presented at the opening ceremony. It had been carried all the way from Tottenham to the bridge by relays of school children, with the final relay being run by two children from the nearby [[Fort Street High School|Fort Street Boys' and Girls' schools]]. 
After the official ceremonies, the public was allowed to walk across the bridge on the deck, something that would not be repeated until the 50th anniversary celebrations.<ref name=shb-archives37/> Estimates suggest that between 300,000 and one million people took part in the opening festivities,<ref name=shb-archives37 /> a phenomenal number given that the entire [[Demographics of Sydney#Historical population|population of Sydney]] at the time was estimated to be 1,256,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article83431445 |title=SYDNEY'S POPULATION |newspaper=[[Singleton Argus]] |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=9 May 1932 |access-date=12 April 2019 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924100518/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/83431445 |url-status=live }}</ref>

There had also been numerous preparatory arrangements. On 14 March 1932, three postage stamps were issued to commemorate the imminent opening of the bridge. Several songs were composed for the occasion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge - Bridge Ahoy!|url=http://bridgeahoy.ice.org.au/bridge/sydney-harbour-bridge/|website=Bridge Ahoy!|access-date=14 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215120545/http://bridgeahoy.ice.org.au/bridge/sydney-harbour-bridge/|archive-date=15 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the year of the opening, there was a steep rise in babies being named Archie and Bridget in honour of the bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/online-exhibition/sydney-harbour-bridge|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge Trivia|website=[[National Film & Sound Archive]]|date=6 March 2017|access-date=24 April 2019|archive-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424125604/https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/online-exhibition/sydney-harbour-bridge|url-status=live}}</ref> One of three microphones used at the opening ceremony was signed by 10 local dignitaries who officiated at the event, Philip Game, John Lang, MA Davidson, Samuel Walder, D Clyne, H Primrose, Ben Howe, John Bradfield, Lawrence Ennis and Roland Kitson. It was supplied by [[AWA Technology Services|AWA]] who organised the ceremony's broadcast and collected by Philip Geeves, the AWA announcer on the day. The radio is now in the collection of the [[Powerhouse Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reiss (Reisz) carbon granule microphone used at Sydney Harbour Bridge opening |url=https://collection.maas.museum/object/365306 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=Powerhouse Museum |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327093210/https://collection.maas.museum/object/365306 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The bridge itself was regarded as a triumph over Depression times, earning the nickname "the [[Negative pressure ventilator|Iron Lung]]", as it kept many Depression-era workers employed.<ref name="Tomalin, Terry (September 2000)">{{cite news|last1=Tomalin|first1=Terry|title=View won't leave you speechless; Series: Out there; Summer Olympics: Sydney 2000|work=[[St Petersburg Times]]|issue=South Pinellas Edition|date=26 September 2000|location=St. Petersburg, FL|page=7C}}</ref>

==Operations==
In 2010, the average daily traffic included 204 trains, 160,435 vehicles and 1650 bicycles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/sydney-harbour-bridge/index.html|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge precinct|website=[[Roads & Maritime Services]]|date=17 May 2017 |access-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411152546/http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/sydney-harbour-bridge/index.html|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Road===
{{main|Bradfield Highway, Sydney}}
[[File:Sydney CBD from the top (gun) deck of the south east pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|The roadway of the bridge, from the southern pylon]]
From the Sydney CBD side, motor vehicle access to the bridge is via [[Grosvenor Street]], [[Clarence Street, Sydney|Clarence Street]], [[Kent Street, Sydney|Kent Street]], the [[Cahill Expressway]], or the [[Western Distributor, Sydney|Western Distributor]]. Drivers on the northern side will find themselves on the [[Warringah Freeway]], though it is easy to turn off the freeway to drive westwards into [[North Sydney, New South Wales|North Sydney]] or eastwards to [[Neutral Bay]] and beyond upon arrival on the northern side.{{citation needed|date = March 2014}}

The bridge originally only had four wider traffic lanes occupying the central space which now has six, as photos taken soon after the opening clearly show. In 1958 tram services across the bridge were withdrawn and the tracks replaced by two extra road lanes; these lanes are now the leftmost southbound lanes on the bridge and are separated from the other six road lanes by a [[median strip]]. Lanes 7 and 8 now connect the bridge to the elevated Cahill Expressway that carries traffic to the [[Eastern Distributor]].

In 1988, work began to build a tunnel to complement the bridge. It was determined that the bridge could no longer support the increased traffic flow of the 1980s. The [[Sydney Harbour Tunnel]] was completed in August 1992 and carries only motor vehicles.

The Bradfield Highway is designated as a [[Stock route|Travelling Stock Route]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wilderness.org.au/articles/nsw-drovers-rally-to-save-historic-travelling|publisher=[[The Wilderness Society (Australia)|The Wilderness Society]]|title=NSW drovers rally to save historic travelling stock routes|access-date=5 July 2009|date=27 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222021821/http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/wildcountry/nsw-drovers-rally-to-save-historic-travelling|archive-date=22 February 2012}}</ref> which means that it is permissible to herd livestock across the bridge, but only between midnight and dawn, and after giving notice of intention to do so. In practice, the last time livestock crossed the bridge was in 1999 for the Gelbvieh Cattle Congress.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ellicott|first=John|date=3 March 2017|title=Can't be done for Herd of Hope? Here's proof it can|url=http://www.theland.com.au/story/4503950/cant-be-done-for-herd-of-hope-heres-proof-it-can/|access-date=27 May 2021|website=[[The Land (newspaper)|The Land]]|language=en-AU|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924213333/https://www.theland.com.au/story/4503950/cant-be-done-for-herd-of-hope-heres-proof-it-can/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Tidal flow===
The bridge is equipped for [[Reversible lane|tidal flow operation]], permitting the direction of traffic flow on the bridge to be altered to better suit the morning and evening peak hour traffic patterns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/managingtraffic/tmc_network.html |title=Managing the network|publisher=Roads & Maritime Services |date=6 September 2013 |access-date=9 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610211513/http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/managingtraffic/tmc_network.html |archive-date=10 June 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

The bridge has eight lanes, numbered one to eight from west to east. Lanes three, four and five are reversible. One and two always flow north. Six, seven, and eight always flow south. The default is four each way. For the morning peak hour, the lane changes on the bridge also require changes to the [[Warringah Freeway]], with its inner western reversible carriageway directing traffic to the bridge lane numbers three and four southbound. Until September 1982, during the evening peak the tidal flow was set as six northbound and two southbound lanes.<ref>Tidal Flow Operation on the Sydney Harbour Bridge ''Main Roads'' December 1983 page 109</ref>

The bridge has a series of overhead gantries which indicate the direction of flow for each traffic lane. A green arrow pointing down to a traffic lane means the lane is open. A flashing red "X" indicates the lane is closing, but is not yet in use for traffic travelling in the other direction. A static red "X" means the lane is in use for oncoming traffic. This arrangement was introduced in January 1986, replacing a slow operation where lane markers were manually moved to mark the centre median.<ref>Annual Report for year ended 30 June 1986] [[Department of Main Roads (New South Wales)|Department of Main Roads]]</ref>

It is possible to see odd arrangements of flow during night periods when maintenance occurs, which may involve completely closing some lanes. Normally this is done between midnight and dawn, because of the enormous traffic demands placed on the bridge outside these hours.{{citation needed|date = March 2014}}

When the Sydney Harbour Tunnel opened in August 1992, lane 7 became a [[bus lane]].<ref>Harbour Bridge Public Transport Lane ''[[Fleetline (periodical)|Fleetline]]'' issue 198 January 1992 page 13</ref><ref>Opening of Sydney Harbour Tunnel & Gore Hill Freeway ''[[Australian Bus Panorama]]'' issue 8/3 October 1992 page 38</ref>

===Tolls===
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge toll gates, 1933.jpg|thumb|Northbound view of toll gates, 1933]]

The vehicular traffic lanes on the bridge are operated as a [[toll road]]. Since January 2009, there is a variable tolling system for all vehicles headed into the CBD (southbound). The toll paid is dependent on the time of day in which the vehicle passes through the toll plaza. The toll varies from a minimum value of $2.76 to a maximum value of $4.41.<ref>[https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/tolling/toll-costs-by-road Toll costs by road] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804194507/https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/tolling/toll-costs-by-road |date=4 August 2022 }} Government of New South Wales</ref> There is no toll for northbound traffic (though taxis travelling north may charge passengers the toll in anticipation of the toll the taxi must pay on the return journey). In 2017, the Bradfield Highway northern toll plaza infrastructure was removed and replaced with new overhead gantries to service all southbound traffic.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/sydney-harbour-bridge/tolling-projects/northern-toll-plaza/index.html|title=Northern toll plaza precinct upgrade|work=Roads & Maritime Services|access-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104407/https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/sydney-harbour-bridge/tolling-projects/northern-toll-plaza/index.html|archive-date=25 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Following on from this upgrade, in 2018 all southern toll plaza infrastructure was also removed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/sydney-harbour-bridge/tolling-projects/southern-toll-plaza/index.html|title=Southern toll plaza precinct upgrade|work=Roads & Maritime Services|access-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925141949/https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/sydney-harbour-bridge/tolling-projects/southern-toll-plaza/index.html|archive-date=25 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Only the Cahill Expressway toll plaza infrastructure remains. The toll was originally placed on travel across the bridge, in both directions, to recoup the cost of its construction. This was paid off in 1988, but the toll has been kept (indeed increased) to recoup the costs of the [[Sydney Harbour Tunnel]].<ref>At Last! Sydney Harbour Bridge Paid For ''[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]'' 25 July 1988 page 1</ref><ref>[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/dont-we-own-the-bridge-yet/news-story/470a79a8df85451a62546f1ee5a43a1f?sv=9d46fd6e74ef2ce70a1cf9189001bdf4 Don't we own the Bridge yet?] ''The Daily Telegraph'' 15 June 2009</ref>

Originally it cost a car or motorcycle six pence to cross, a horse and rider being three pence. Use of the bridge by bicycle riders (provided that they use the cycleway) and by pedestrians is free. Later governments capped the fee for motorcycles at one-quarter of the passenger-vehicle cost, but now it is again the same as the cost for a passenger vehicle, although quarterly flat-fee passes are available which are much cheaper for frequent users.<ref>{{cite web|title = Motorcyclists|url = https://www.myrta.com/wps/portal/extvp/myrta/etoll/motorcyclists/!ut/p/b1/dcrdEkJAGIDha-kK9ls_LYdGFIuIbwcnxmjGSPkpKl19uoDO3nfmITnJVCYz0DWVkZTkXfls6nJq-q68_j7fFnCwQoESo0ehATgnxeWyRNeSSbYC9hcYlCQkBaWIL9DPXDc-4BQ-N9vhYTsUd9gnIPPF1GZMUucev8ZYRDQOcFqqwsUEe-4PIUeYG9SmpX273tnzuN8FUOlU2JFlhMOYUtyQW76vv8TAB_4!/|website=Roads & Traffic Authority|access-date = 12 June 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150614025012/https://www.myrta.com/wps/portal/extvp/myrta/etoll/motorcyclists/!ut/p/b1/dcrdEkJAGIDha-kK9ls_LYdGFIuIbwcnxmjGSPkpKl19uoDO3nfmITnJVCYz0DWVkZTkXfls6nJq-q68_j7fFnCwQoESo0ehATgnxeWyRNeSSbYC9hcYlCQkBaWIL9DPXDc-4BQ-N9vhYTsUd9gnIPPF1GZMUucev8ZYRDQOcFqqwsUEe-4PIUeYG9SmpX273tnzuN8FUOlU2JFlhMOYUtyQW76vv8TAB_4!/|archive-date = 14 June 2015|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Originally there were six toll booths at the southern end of the bridge, these were replaced by 16 booths in 1950.<ref>Sydney Harbour Bridge ''[[Truck & Bus Transportation]]'' March 1950 page 9</ref> The toll was charged in both directions until 4 July 1970 when changed to only be applied to southbound traffic.<ref>Introduction of One-Way Toll Collection on Sydney Harbour Bridge ''[[Main Roads (periodical)|Main Roads]]'' September 1970 pages 24/25</ref><ref>Reaching the North ''[[Trolley Wire]]'' issue 200 June 1982 page 23</ref>

After the decision to build the Sydney Harbour Tunnel was made in the early 1980s, the toll was increased (from 20 cents to $1, then to $1.50 in March 1989, and finally to $2 by the time the tunnel opened) to pay for its construction.<ref>Annual report for year ended 30 June 1989] [[Roads & Traffic Authority]]</ref> The tunnel also had an initial toll of $2 southbound. After the increase to $1, a [[Median strip|concrete barrier]] on the bridge separating the Bradfield Highway from the Cahill Expressway was increased in height, because of the large numbers of drivers crossing it illegally from lane 6 to 7, to avoid the toll.

The southbound toll was increased to $2.20 in July 2000 to account for the newly imposed [[Goods and services tax (Australia)|goods and services tax]] (GST).<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2023/shb-tolling-summary-report.pdf |title=Sydney Harbour Bridge Tolling |publisher=[[Roads & Traffic Authority]] |date=March 2011 |isbn=9781921899126 |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801123319/https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2023/shb-tolling-summary-report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Frank |last2=West |first2=Andrew |date=1 July 2020 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-the-archives-2000-pm-howard-braves-public-s-reaction-to-gst-20200623-p555en.html |title=From the Archives, 2000: PM Howard braves public's reaction to GST |publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801123317/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-the-archives-2000-pm-howard-braves-public-s-reaction-to-gst-20200623-p555en.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The toll increased again to $3 in January 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2022/03/18/sydney-harbour-bridge-turns-90.html |title=The Sydney Harbour Bridge turns 90 |publisher=[[University of Sydney]] |date=18 March 2022 |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801123319/https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2022/03/18/sydney-harbour-bridge-turns-90.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2008, a new electronic tolling system called [[e-TAG]] was introduced. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel was converted to this new tolling system while the Sydney Harbour Bridge itself had several cash lanes. The electronic system as of 12 January 2009 has now replaced all booths with E-tag lanes.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090217110129/http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/motorwaysandtolling/200807shb_lanechanges.html?hhid=shbcashless Sydney Harbour Bridge cashless tolling] Roads & Traffic Authority</ref> In January 2017 work commenced to remove the southern toll booths.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170106010821/http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/sydney-harbour-bridge/tolling-projects/southern-toll-plaza.html Southern toll plaza precinct upgrade] Roads & Maritime Services 6 January 2017</ref> In August 2020, the remaining toll booths at Milsons Point were removed.<ref>[https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/sydney-harbour-bridge-toll-booths-to-be-removed Sydney Harbour Bridge toll booths to be removed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616010400/https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/sydney-harbour-bridge-toll-booths-to-be-removed |date=16 June 2020 }} Transport for NSW 15 June 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-harbour-bridge/northern-toll-plaza.html Northern toll plaza precinct upgrade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807183451/https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-harbour-bridge/northern-toll-plaza.html |date=7 August 2020 }} Roads & Maritime Services</ref> Tolls rose in October 2023 for the first time in 14 years.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230924072042/https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/sydney-harbour-bridge-and-tunnel-tolls-to-rise Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel tolls to rise] [[Transport for NSW]] 23 September 2023</ref>

===Pedestrians===
The pedestrian-only footway is located on the east side of the bridge. Access from the northern side involves climbing an easily spotted flight of stairs, located on the east side of the bridge at Broughton Street, [[Kirribilli]]. Pedestrian access on the southern side is more complicated, but signposts in [[The Rocks, New South Wales|The Rocks]] area now direct pedestrians to the long and sheltered flight of stairs that leads to the bridge's southern end. These stairs are located near Gloucester Street and Cumberland Street.

The bridge can also be approached from the south by accessing Cahill Walk, which runs along the [[Cahill Expressway]]. Pedestrians can access this walkway from the east end of Circular Quay by a flight of stairs or a lift. Alternatively it can be accessed from the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney|Botanic Gardens]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au/sydney-harbour-bridge-walk/|title= Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk|access-date= 1 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190401054637/https://www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au/sydney-harbour-bridge-walk/|archive-date= 1 April 2019|url-status= live|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

===Cyclists===
{{main|Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway}}
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge cyclist.jpg|thumb|A cyclist using the cycleway. Side [[welded wire mesh fence|fences]] were added to prevent people from committing [[suicide]] by jumping from the bridge.]]
The bike-only [[cycleway]] is located on the western side of the bridge. Access from the northern side involves carrying or pushing a bicycle up a staircase, consisting of 55 steps, located on the western side of the bridge at Burton Street, Milsons Point. A wide smooth concrete strip in the centre of the stairs permits cycles to be wheeled up and down from the bridge deck whilst the rider is dismounted. A campaign to eliminate the steps on this popular cycling route to the CBD has been running since at least 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sydneyharbourlink.com/page/about |title=HarbourLink |publisher=Sydneyharbourlink.com |access-date=9 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126184320/http://www.sydneyharbourlink.com/page/about |archive-date=26 January 2014  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au:80/www/html/5539-harbourlink-project.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022020136/http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/www/html/5539-harbourlink-project.asp|url-status=dead|title=North Sydney Council|first=North Sydney|last=Council|archivedate=22 October 2012|website=www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au|accessdate=9 August 2025}}</ref> On 7 December 2016 the [[Minister for Transport (New South Wales)#Minister for Roads|NSW Roads Minister]] [[Duncan Gay]] confirmed that the northern stairway would be replaced with a {{AUD}}20 million ramp alleviating the needs for cyclists to dismount. At the same time the NSW Government announced plans to upgrade the southern ramp at a projected cost of {{AUD}}20 million. Both projects are expected to be completed by late 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-07/sydney-harbour-bridge-cyclists-due-for-$35-million-ramp-upgrade/8100856 |title=Sydney Harbour Bridge cyclists can expect $35 million bike ramp and upgrade by 2020 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |date=7 December 2016 |access-date=7 December 2016 |author=McNally, Lucy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207205619/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-07/sydney-harbour-bridge-cyclists-due-for-$35-million-ramp-upgrade/8100856 |archive-date=7 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/new-ramps-and-cycleways-for-sydney-harbour-bridge-20161207-gt5niy.html |title=New ramps and cycleways for Sydney Harbour Bridge |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=7 December 2016 |access-date=7 December 2016 |author=Stempien, Filip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207182717/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/new-ramps-and-cycleways-for-sydney-harbour-bridge-20161207-gt5niy.html |archive-date=7 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-sydney/plan-in-the-works-to-ramp-up-access-to-sydney-harbour-bridge/news-story/94ae236ba37dcb8744fdce006da6e4a0 |title=Plan in the works to ramp up access to Sydney Harbour Bridge |work=[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]] |location=Australia |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=7 December 2016 |author=McNab, Heathery |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115193210/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-sydney/plan-in-the-works-to-ramp-up-access-to-sydney-harbour-bridge/news-story/94ae236ba37dcb8744fdce006da6e4a0 |archive-date=15 November 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Access to the cycleway on the southern side is via the northern end of the Kent Street cycleway and/or Upper Fort Street in [[The Rocks, New South Wales|The Rocks]].<ref name=finder>{{cite web |url=http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/bicycles/cyclewayfinder/index.html |title=Cycleway Finder |edition=Version 3 |work=[[Roads & Maritime Services]] |publisher=Government of New South Wales |year=2016 |access-date=4 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229181959/http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/bicycles/cyclewayfinder/index.html |archive-date=29 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===Rail===
[[File:Crossing over Harbour Bridge-North to South.webm|thumb|Crossing over the bridge from [[North Sydney railway station]] to [[Wynyard railway station, Sydney|Wynyard railway station]]]]
The bridge lies between [[Milsons Point railway station|Milsons Point]] and [[Wynyard railway station, Sydney|Wynyard]] railway stations, located on the north and south shores respectively, with two tracks running along the western side of the bridge. These tracks are part of the [[North Shore railway line]].

In 1958, tram services across the bridge were withdrawn and the tracks they had used were removed and replaced by two extra road lanes; these lanes are now the leftmost southbound lanes on the bridge and are still clearly distinguishable from the other six road lanes. The original ramp that took the trams into a terminus at the underground [[Wynyard railway station, Sydney|Wynyard railway station]] is still visible at the southern end of the main walkway under lanes 7 and 8, although around 1964, the former tram tunnels and station were converted for use as a carpark for the Menzies Hotel and as public parking. One of the tunnels was converted for use as a storage facility after reportedly being used by the NSW police as a pistol firing range.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/wynyard-stations-secret-old-stairs-revealed-after-more-than-50-years/|title=Hidden stairs revealed at Wynyard Station after more than 50 years|date=21 March 2016|website=Commercial Property & Real Estate News|access-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405001944/https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/wynyard-stations-secret-old-stairs-revealed-after-more-than-50-years/|archive-date=5 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Maintenance===
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge maintenance, 18 September 1945.jpg|thumb|Maintenance worker Stan Giddings painting the bridge, 1945.]]
The Sydney Harbour Bridge requires constant inspections and other maintenance work to keep it safe for the public, and to protect from [[corrosion]]. Among the trades employed on the bridge are [[House painter and decorator|painter]]s, [[ironworker]]s, [[boilermaker]]s, [[machinist|fitter]]s, [[electrician]]s, [[plasterer]]s, [[carpenter]]s, [[plumber]]s, and [[Rigger (industry)|riggers]].<ref name=repaint-rta />

The most noticeable maintenance work on the bridge involves painting. The steelwork of the bridge that needs to be painted is a combined {{convert|485000|m2|acre|abbr=on}}, the equivalent of sixty football fields. Each coat on the bridge requires some {{convert|30000|L|impgal|abbr=on}} of paint.<ref name=repaint-rta /> A special fast-drying paint is used, so that any paint drops have dried before reaching the vehicles or bridge surface.<ref name=tia-shb /> One notable identity from previous bridge-painting crews is Australian comedian and actor [[Paul Hogan]], who worked as a bridge rigger before rising to media fame in the 1970s.<ref name="culture.gov" />

In 2003 the Roads & Traffic Authority began completely repainting the southern approach spans of the bridge. This involved removing the old [[Lead paint|lead-based paint]], and repainting the {{convert|90000|m2|acre|abbr=on}} of steel below the deck. Workers operated from self-contained platforms below the deck, with each platform having an air extraction system to [[Air filter|filter]] [[airborne particles]]. An [[abrasive blasting]] was used, with the lead waste collected and safely removed from the site for disposal.<ref name=repaint-rta />

Between December 2006 and March 2010 the bridge was subject to works designed to ensure its longevity. The work included some strengthening.<ref name=shb-upgrade>{{cite web|url=http://www.freyssinet.com.au/images/job-sheets/Sydney%20Harbour%20Bridge%20Upgrade.pdf|access-date=16 September 2014|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge Upgrade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904021220/http://www.freyssinet.com.au/images/job-sheets/Sydney%20Harbour%20Bridge%20Upgrade.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2013, two grit-blasting robots specially developed with the [[University of Technology, Sydney]] have been employed to help with the paint stripping operation on the bridge.<ref>{{cite web |author=Wendy Frew |url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/spick-and-span-20130717-2q1av.html |title=Spick and span |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=18 July 2013 |access-date=9 June 2014 |archive-date=24 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924100444/https://www.smh.com.au/technology/spick-and-span-20130716-2q1av.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The robots, nicknamed Rosie and Sandy,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bryant |first=Chris |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7d398f90-ec8e-11e3-8963-00144feabdc0 |title=Dawn of a robot revolution as army of machines escape the factory |work=[[Financial Times]]|date=5 June 2014 |access-date=9 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608215640/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7d398f90-ec8e-11e3-8963-00144feabdc0.html#slide0 |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> are intended to reduce workers' potential exposure to dangerous lead paint and [[asbestos]] and the blasting equipment which has enough force to cut through clothes and skin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23352958 |title=Grit-blasting robots clean Sydney Harbour Bridge |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=18 July 2013 |access-date=9 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106185621/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23352958 |archive-date=6 January 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
File:Painting Sydney Harbour Bridge 1945 04.jpg|Stan Giddings, maintenance worker painting Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1945, by Alec Iverson
File:Sydney Harbour Bridge DSC01595.JPG|Maintenance crew painting the bridge
File:SydneyHarbourBridgeHangers.jpg|Bridge arch after strengthening, with some new steel outlined in red
</gallery>

==Tourism==
{{Further|Tourism in Sydney}}

===South-east pylon===
[[File:Historic Tourist Signs for Sydney Harbour Bridge, jjron, 02.12.2010.jpg|thumb|Historic [[tourist sign]]s for the pylon lookout, from Rentoul's 'All Australian Exhibition', 1948 – 1971]]
[[File:Cat , South-East pylon, Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1951.jpg|thumb|White cat on South-East Pylon, Sydney Harbour Bridge, June 1951]]
Even during its construction, the bridge was such a prominent feature of Sydney that it would attract tourist interest. One of the ongoing [[Tourism in Sydney|tourist attractions]] of the bridge has been the south-east pylon, which is accessed via the [[#Pedestrians|pedestrian walkway]] across the bridge, and then a climb to the top of the pylon of about 200 steps.<ref name=shb-info />

Not long after the bridge's opening, commencing in 1934, Archer Whitford first converted this pylon into a tourist destination.<ref name="pl-ph34">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 1934|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> He installed a number of attractions, including a café, a [[camera obscura]], an [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] museum, a "Mother's Nook" where visitors could write letters, and a "pashometer". The main attraction was the [[Observation deck|viewing platform]], where "charming attendants" assisted visitors to use the [[telescopes]] available,<ref name="pl-ph34" /> and a copper [[Cladding (construction)|cladding]] (still present) over the granite [[guard rail]]s identified the suburbs and landmarks of Sydney at the time.<ref name="pl-gvf">{{cite web|title=Glass View Finder|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/exhibition_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218074429/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/exhibition_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

The outbreak of [[World War II]] in 1939 saw tourist activities on the bridge cease, as the military took over the four pylons and modified them to include [[parapet]]s and [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]].<ref name="pl-ph39">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 1939 – 1945|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1948, Yvonne Rentoul opened the "All Australian Exhibition" in the pylon. This contained [[diorama]]s, and displays about Australian perspectives on subjects such as farming, [[Sport in Australia|sport]], [[Transport in Australia|transport]], [[Mining in Australia|mining]], and the [[Australian Defence Force|armed forces]]. An [[orientation table]] was installed at the viewing platform, along with a wall guide and [[binoculars]]. The owner kept several white cats in a rooftop [[cattery]], which also served as an attraction, and there was a [[souvenir shop]] and [[Australia Post|postal outlet]].<ref name="pl-ph48">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 1948|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Rentoul's lease expired in 1971, and the pylon and its lookout remained closed to the public for over a decade.<ref name="pl-ph71">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 1971|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

The pylon was reopened in 1982, with a new exhibition celebrating the bridge's 50th anniversary.<ref name="pl-ph82">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 1982|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1987 a "Bicentennial Exhibition" was opened to mark the [[Australian Bicentenary|200th anniversary]] of European settlement in Australia in 1988.<ref name="pl-ph87">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 1987|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

The pylon was closed from April to November 2000 for the Roads & Traffic Authority and BridgeClimb to create a new exhibition called "Proud Arch". The exhibition focussed on Bradfield, and included a glass direction finder on the observation level, and various important heritage items.<ref name="pl-ph00">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 2000|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

The pylon again closed for four weeks in 2003 for the installation of an exhibit called "Dangerous Works", highlighting the dangerous conditions experienced by the original construction workers on the bridge, and two [[stained glass]] feature windows in memory of the workers.<ref name="pl-ph03">{{cite web|title=Southeast Pylon History: 2003|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|work=Pylon Lookout: Sydney Harbour Bridge|access-date=18 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218075104/http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/history_frs.htm|archive-date=18 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

===BridgeClimb===
[[File:BridgeClimb participants on Sydney Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|BridgeClimb participants, wearing the mandatory special jumpsuits]]
In the 1950s and 1960s, there were occasional newspaper reports of climbers who had made illegal arch traversals of the bridge by night. In 1973 [[Philippe Petit]] walked across a wire between the two pylons at the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Since 1998, [[BridgeClimb Sydney|BridgeClimb]]<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bridgeclimb.com/|title=BridgeClimb|publisher=BridgeClimb|access-date=23 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227085143/http://www.bridgeclimb.com/|archive-date=27 December 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> has made it possible for tourists to legally climb the southern half of the bridge. Tours run throughout the day, from dawn to night, and are only cancelled for electrical storms or high wind.<ref name=checklist>{{cite web|title=BridgeClimb - Pre-Climb Checklist|url=http://www.bridgeclimb.com/things-you-need-to-know-to-climb/|website=[[BridgeClimb Sydney]]|access-date=20 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119193627/http://www.bridgeclimb.com/things-you-need-to-know-to-climb/|archive-date=19 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Groups of climbers are provided with protective clothing appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions, and are given an orientation briefing before climbing. During the climb, attendees are secured to the bridge by a wire lifeline similar to a [[Klettersteig]] rock climbing. Each climb begins on the eastern side of the bridge and ascends to the top. At the summit, the group crosses to the western side of the arch for the descent. Each climb takes three-and-a-half-hours, including the preparations.<ref name=checklist/>

In December 2006, BridgeClimb<ref name="autogenerated1" /> launched an alternative to climbing the upper arches of the bridge. The Discovery Climb allows climbers to ascend the lower chord of the bridge and view its internal structure. From the apex of the lower chord, climbers ascend a staircase to a platform at the summit.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

==Celebrations==
===50th Anniversary celebrations===
In 1982, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the bridge was celebrated. For the first time since its opening in 1932, the bridge was closed to most vehicles with the exception of vintage vehicles, and pedestrians were allowed full access for the day.<ref name=pl-bh /> The celebrations were attended by Edward Judge, who represented Dorman Long.<ref>{{cite book |last=Reid |first=Carlton |date=2017 |title=Bike Boom |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.5822/978-1-61091-817-6 |language=en |doi=10.5822/978-1-61091-817-6 |isbn=978-1-61091-872-5 |s2cid=159268848 |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727130341/https://link.springer.com/book/10.5822/978-1-61091-817-6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge|url=http://bestbridge.net/Australia_en/sydney-harbour-bridge.phtml|website=bestbridge.net|access-date=17 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118035720/http://bestbridge.net/Australia_en/sydney-harbour-bridge.phtml|archive-date=18 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Australia-Stamp-1932-SydneyHarbourBridge.jpg|thumb|Postage stamp, Australia, 1932]]

===Bicentennial Australia Day celebrations===
[[Australian Bicentenary|Australia's bicentennial celebrations]] on 26 January 1988 attracted large crowds in the bridge's vicinity as merrymakers flocked to the foreshores to view the events on the harbour. The highlight was the biggest parade of sail ever held in Sydney, square-riggers from all over the world, surrounded by hundreds of smaller craft of every description, passing majestically under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The day's festivities culminated in a fireworks display in which the bridge was the focal point of the finale, with fireworks streaming from the arch and roadway. This was to become the pattern for later firework displays.{{citation needed|date = March 2014}}

===Sydney New Year's Eve===
{{Main|Sydney New Year's Eve}}
The Harbour Bridge has been an integral part of the Sydney New Year's Eve celebrations, generally being used in spectacular ways during the [[fireworks]] displays at 9pm and midnight. In recent times, the bridge has included a ropelight display on a framework in the centre of the eastern arch, which is used to complement the fireworks. The scaffolding and framework were clearly visible for some weeks before the event, revealing the outline of the design.

During the millennium celebrations in 2000, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up with the word "[[Eternity (graffito)|Eternity]]", as a tribute to the legacy of [[Arthur Stace]] a Sydney artist who for many years inscribed said word on pavements in chalk in copperplate writing despite the fact that he was illiterate.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Years Eve fireworks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Eternity, 1999|url=https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/567648|access-date=23 June 2021|website=City of Sydney Archives|archive-date=9 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709164200/https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/567648|url-status=live}}</ref>

The effects have been as follows:<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2014 |title=World atlas of street art and graffiti |url=https://www.academia.edu/37789457 |journal=Choice Reviews Online |volume=51 |issue=7 |pages=51–3581 |issn=0009-4978 |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727130343/https://www.academia.edu/37789457 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Sydney new years 2008-9.JPG|thumb|The opening sequence to the 2008–09 ''Midnight Fireworks'']]

* NYE1997: [[Smiley|Smiley face]]
* NYE1999: The word "[[Eternity (graffito)|Eternity]]" in [[copperplate script|copperplate]] writing<ref name="smh millennium">{{cite news |last1=Dennis |first1=Anthony |title=Millennium dawns |url=http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=eternity+and+bridge&pb=smh&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news000101_0210_6556 |access-date=23 December 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald  |date=1 January 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223143039/http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=eternity+and+bridge&pb=smh&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news000101_0210_6556 |archive-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
* NYE2000: [[Rainbow Serpent]] and [[Federation of Australia|Federation Star]]
* NYE2001: [[Uluru]], the [[Southern Cross]] and the [[Dove of Peace]]
* NYE2002: [[Dove of Peace]] and the word "PEACE"
* NYE2003: [[Laser lighting display|Light show]]
* NYE2004: "Fanfare"
* NYE2005: [[Heart (symbol)|Three concentric hearts]]
* NYE2006: [[Clothes hanger|Coathanger]] and a diamond
* NYE2007: [[Mandala]]
* NYE2008: The [[Sun]]
* NYE2009: [[Taijitu]] Symbol, a [[Blue moon]] and a ring of fire
* NYE2010: Handprint, [[X mark|"X" Mark]] and a Spot
* NYE2011: [[Speech balloon|Thought Bubble]], [[Sun]] and [[Rainbow|Endless Rainbow]]
* NYE2012: [[Butterfly]] and a [[Lip]]
* NYE2013: Eye
* NYE2014: [[Light bulb]]
* NYE2015 onwards: Light shows
The numbers for the New Year's Eve countdown also appear on the Bridge pylons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestbridge.net/Australia_en/sydney-harbour-bridge.phtml|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge|website=bestbridge.net|access-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102034828/http://bestbridge.net/Australia_en/sydney-harbour-bridge.phtml|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Walk for Reconciliation===
{{further|Reconciliation in Australia}}
In May 2000, the bridge was closed to vehicular access for a day to allow a special reconciliation march—the "[[Walk for Reconciliation]]" – to take place. This was part of a response to an Aboriginal [[Stolen Generations]] inquiry, which found widespread suffering had taken place amongst [[Australian Aboriginal]] children forcibly placed into the care of white parents in a little-publicised state government scheme. Between 200,000 and 300,000 people were estimated to have walked the bridge in a symbolic gesture of crossing a divide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/marching-for-a-fresh-beginning-20100527-whuu.html|title=Marching for a fresh beginning|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=28 May 2010|access-date=23 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016035508/http://www.smh.com.au/national/marching-for-a-fresh-beginning-20100527-whuu.html|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sydney 2000 Olympics===
During the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney 2000 Olympics]] in September and October 2000, the bridge was adorned with the Olympic Rings. It was included in the Olympic torch's route to the Olympic stadium. The men's and women's Olympic [[marathon (sport)|marathon]] events likewise included the bridge as part of their route to the Olympic stadium. A fireworks display at the end of the closing ceremony ended at the bridge. The east-facing side of the bridge has been used several times since as a framework from which to hang static [[fireworks]], especially during the elaborate New Year's Eve displays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/sydney-harbour/new-years-eve-fireworks|title=Sydney Harbour - New Year's Eve Fireworks|website=sydney.com|access-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919085823/http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/sydney-harbour/new-years-eve-fireworks|archive-date=19 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Formula One promotion===
In 2005, [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]] drove a [[Williams FW26|Williams-BMW]] [[Formula One]] car across the bridge.<ref name="AAP">{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P1-105546468.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102102635/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P1-105546468.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2013|title=NSW: F1 driver Mark Webber to hoon across the Harbour Bridge|date=18 February 2005|access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref>

===75th anniversary===
[[File:SHB75.jpg|thumb|upright|Walkers with LED caps on the bridge's 75th Anniversary]]
[[File:Shb75thhats.jpg|thumb|right|The commemorative hats given to walkers]]
In 2007, the 75th anniversary of its opening was commemorated with an exhibition at the [[Museum of Sydney]], called "Bridging Sydney".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927050000/http://www.hht.net.au/bridgingsydney Bridging Sydney] [[Historic Houses Trust, New South Wales]]</ref> An initiative of the [[Historic Houses Trust, New South Wales|Historic Houses Trust]], the exhibition featured dramatic photographs and paintings with rare and previously unseen alternative bridge and tunnel proposals, plans and sketches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bridging Sydney |url=https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/exhibitions/bridging-sydney |website=Sydney Living Museums |access-date=18 March 2020 |date=17 January 2014 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807232039/https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/exhibitions/bridging-sydney |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 18 March 2007, the 75th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was celebrated. The occasion was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the [[Governor of New South Wales|governor]], [[Marie Bashir]] and the [[Premier of New South Wales]], [[Morris Iemma]]. The bridge was subsequently open to the public to walk southward from Milsons Point or North Sydney. Several major roads, mainly in the CBD, were closed for the day. An [[Australian Aborigines|Aboriginal]] [[smoking ceremony]] was held at 7:00pm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ma.as/375296|title=Cap marking 75th anniversary of Sydney Harbour Bridge|author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences|publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia|access-date=13 August 2019|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924100452/https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/375296|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/AUSTRALIA-BRIDGE--GM1DUVNVPKAA.html|title=REUTERS|date=18 March 2007|access-date=13 August 2019|archive-date=13 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813125027/https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/AUSTRALIA-BRIDGE--GM1DUVNVPKAA.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Approximately 250,000 people (50,000 more than were registered) took part in the event. Bright green souvenir caps were distributed to walkers. A series of speakers placed at intervals along the bridge formed a [[sound installation]]. Each group of speakers broadcast sound and music from a particular era (e.g. [[Edward VIII|King Edward VIII's]] abdication speech; [[Gough Whitlam]]'s speech at [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]] in [[1975 Australian constitutional crisis|1975]]), the overall effect being that the soundscape would "flow" through history as walkers proceeded along the bridge. A light-show began after sunset and continued late into the night, the bridge being bathed in constantly changing, multi-coloured lighting, designed to highlight structural features of the bridge. In the evening the bright yellow caps were replaced by orange caps with a small, bright [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] attached. The bridge was closed to walkers at about 8:30pm.{{citation needed|date = March 2014}}

===Breakfast on the Bridge===
On 25 October 2009 turf was laid across the eight lanes of bitumen, and 6,000 people celebrated a picnic on the bridge accompanied by live music.<ref name="abc-pic">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/25/2723473.htm|title=Harbour Bridge picnic may become annual|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=25 October 2009|access-date=5 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028031633/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/25/2723473.htm|archive-date=28 October 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The event was repeated in 2010.<ref name="Sydney International Food Festival">{{cite web|title=Breakfast on the Bridge|url=http://www.cravesydney.com/cmspage.php?intid=391&linkid=413|access-date=8 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716223725/http://cravesydney.com/cmspage.php?intid=391&linkid=413|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> Although originally scheduled again in 2011, this event was moved to [[Bondi Beach]] due to traffic concerns about the prolonged closing of the bridge.<ref name="bridgePicnic">{{cite web|url=http://www.theprogram.com.au/Event/01-10-2011/breakfast-on-the-bridge|title=Breakfast on the Bridge|date=1 October 2011|access-date=8 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228081304/http://www.theprogram.com.au/Event/01-10-2011/breakfast-on-the-bridge|archive-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="picnicMoved">{{cite web|title=Breakfast moves from bridge to beach|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/breakfast-moves-from-the-bridge-to-the-beach-20111014-1lp3j.html|date=15 October 2011|access-date=8 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105123226/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/breakfast-moves-from-the-bridge-to-the-beach-20111014-1lp3j.html|archive-date=5 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

===80th anniversary===
On 19 March 2012, the 80th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was celebrated with a picnic dedicated to the stories of people with personal connections to the bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/events/shb80.html |title=Sydney Harbour Bridge 80th Birthday |publisher=Roads & Traffic Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319013627/http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/events/shb80.html |archive-date=19 March 2012 }}</ref> In addition, Google dedicated its [[Google Doodle]] on the 19th to the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mumbrella.com.au/google-doodles-for-sydney-harbour-bridge-birthday-79774|title=Google doodles for Sydney Harbour Bridge 80th birthday|date=18 March 2012|publisher=[[Mumbrella]]|access-date=19 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320004944/http://mumbrella.com.au/google-doodles-for-sydney-harbour-bridge-birthday-79774|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
The proposal to upgrade the bridge tolling equipment was announced by the NSW Roads Minister [[Duncan Gay]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Harbour Bridge celebrates 80th birthday|work=[[The Age]]|date=19 March 2012|url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/harbour-bridge-celebrates-80th-birthday-20120319-1ve73.html|access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref>

===WorldPride===
In closing [[WorldPride]] celebrations in Sydney, a march across the Harbour Bridge was held on 5 March 2023 with over 50,000 people in attendance.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723071251/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-05/sydney-harbour-bridge-closed-as-thousands-march-for-world-pride-/102053808 |archive-date=23 July 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=3 August 2025 |title=Sydney Harbour Bridge closed as 50,000 march for international LGBTQI+ communities at WorldPride festival |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-05/sydney-harbour-bridge-closed-as-thousands-march-for-world-pride-/102053808 |date=5 March 2023 |first1=Isobel |last1=Roe |last2=Swanston |first2=Tim |name-list-style=and}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/colourful-pride-march-closes-sydney-harbour-bridge-20230302-p5cp0k.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230305082715/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/colourful-pride-march-closes-sydney-harbour-bridge-20230302-p5cp0k.html |url-status=live |archive-date=5 March 2023 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |title=Colourful WorldPride march closes Sydney Harbour Bridge as PM joins the throng |first=Linda |last=Morris |date=5 March 2023 |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>

== Protests ==
Various protests have caused disruptions on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In 2019, [[Greenpeace]] activists scaled the bridge and they were arrested soon after.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-14/greenpeace-activists-scale-sydney-harbour-bridge/11110058|title=Police arrest 15 after Greenpeace activists dangle from Harbour Bridge|website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=13 May 2019|access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729054048/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-14/greenpeace-activists-scale-sydney-harbour-bridge/11110058|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, a number of truck and bus drivers clogged the bridge for a number of hours; they were protesting the COVID-19 lockdown.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/protest-convoy-of-trucks-at-sydney-harbour-bridge-and-anzac-bridge-following-changes-to-covid19-rules/news-story/3b7fcf0fcce1222f82f5cbdfbb0df468|title = Truckies block bridges in protest of NSW Covid-19 restrictions|date = 17 July 2021|access-date = 29 July 2021|archive-date = 29 July 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210729053847/https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/protest-convoy-of-trucks-at-sydney-harbour-bridge-and-anzac-bridge-following-changes-to-covid19-rules/news-story/3b7fcf0fcce1222f82f5cbdfbb0df468|url-status = live}}</ref>

[[Violet Coco]] blocked one lane of traffic in 2022 as part of a climate change protest.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gladstone |first2=Broede |last2=Carmody |first1=Nigel |date=2022-12-02 |title=As it happened: Labor's industrial relations reforms pass the Senate; Liberals to finalise Voice to parliament position next year |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-news-live-labor-s-industrial-relations-reforms-pass-the-senate-liberals-to-finalise-voice-to-parliament-position-next-year-20221201-p5c2xs.html |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209064858/https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-news-live-labor-s-industrial-relations-reforms-pass-the-senate-liberals-to-finalise-voice-to-parliament-position-next-year-20221201-p5c2xs.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== March For Humanity ===
In August 2025, a [[Palestinian nationalism|pro-Palestine]] protest called "[[2025 Sydney Harbour Bridge protest|March For Humanity]]" and organised by activist group Palestine Action Group took place, with the bridge closed down prior to the event. Its purpose was to express support of Palestinian people, raise awareness of the [[Gaza genocide|genocide in Gaza]], and pressure the Australian government to sanction [[Israel]]. Separate estimates range from 90,000 to 300,000 in attendance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Beazley |first=Jordyn |date=2025-08-04 |title=We know the Sydney Harbour Bridge march against the killing in Gaza was huge – but just how big was it? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/05/we-know-the-sydney-harbour-bridge-march-against-the-killing-in-gaza-was-huge-but-just-how-big-was-it |access-date=2025-08-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Attendees included [[WikiLeaks]] founder [[Julian Assange]], City of Sydney [[Clover Moore|Lord Mayor Clover Moore]], [[Australian Greens|Greens]] [[Australian Senate|senator]] [[Mehreen Faruqi]], former NSW premier [[Bob Carr]], former government minister [[Ed Husic]], activist and former soccer player [[Craig Foster]], boxer [[Anthony Mundine]], journalist [[Antoinette Lattouf]], journalist [[Antony Loewenstein]], actor [[Meyne Wyatt]], writer [[Randa Abdel-Fattah]], journalist [[Mary Kostakidis]], among many others.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-02 |title=Pro-Palestinian protesters cross Sydney Harbour Bridge, rally in central Melbourne to highlight humanitarian situation in Gaza |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/nsw-march-across-sydney-harbour-bridge-for-pro-palestine-gaza/105605596 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803115017/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/nsw-march-across-sydney-harbour-bridge-for-pro-palestine-gaza/105605596 |access-date=2025-08-04 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Wild scenes as thousands hit Harbour Bridge |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/roads-closed-traffic-chaos-sydney-prepares-for-bridge-march/news-story/00437d1cab6853dff35c7ccddf028c4b |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250803104727/https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/roads-closed-traffic-chaos-sydney-prepares-for-bridge-march/news-story/00437d1cab6853dff35c7ccddf028c4b |url-status=live |archive-date=2025-08-03 |access-date=2025-08-04 |work=[[news.com.au]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-03 |title=In pictures: Pro-Palestinian march takes over iconic Sydney landmark |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/pro-palestinian-march-takes-over-iconic-sydney-landmark-in-pictures/2tan3eb1l |first=Niv |last=Sadrolodabaee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803124101/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/pro-palestinian-march-takes-over-iconic-sydney-landmark-in-pictures/2tan3eb1l |archive-date=3 August 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[SBS News]] |language=en}}</ref>

The turnout was so large that [[NSW Police]], in cooperation with Palestine Action Group, shutdown the protest at 15:00 claiming "the march needs to stop due to public safety."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karp |first=Paul |date=2025-08-03 |title=Huge turnout forces Gaza protest to turn around on Harbour Bridge |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/huge-turnout-forces-gaza-protest-to-turn-around-on-harbour-bridge-20250803-p5mjyh |agency=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250804021005/https://www.afr.com/politics/huge-turnout-forces-gaza-protest-to-turn-around-on-harbour-bridge-20250803-p5mjyh |url-access=subscription |archive-date=4 August 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[Australian Financial Review]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-03 |title=Pro-Palestinian Sydney March Stopped Due to 'Public Safety' |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/pro-palestinian-march-sydney-harbour-bridge-81018/ |url-status=live |archive-date=3 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803125223/https://au.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/pro-palestinian-march-sydney-harbour-bridge-81018/ |first=Neil |last=Griffiths |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand|Rolling Stone Australia]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> After being halted at [[Milsons Point railway station]] protesters were then directed to overflow into Bradfield park with those remaining directed back towards the city.<ref name=":0" />

==Flags==
[[File:Aboriginal and National flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|The [[Australian Aboriginal Flag|Aboriginal]] and [[Flag of Australia|Australian]] flags flying on the Sydney Harbour Bridge]]
Historically the flags of [[Flag of Australia|Australia]] and [[Flag of New South Wales|New South Wales]] had been flown above the bridge with the [[Australian Aboriginal Flag|Aboriginal flag]] flown for nineteen days a year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabe |first=Tom |date=2022-06-18 |title=Aboriginal flag to fly permanently atop Harbour Bridge by end of year |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/aboriginal-flag-to-fly-permanently-atop-harbour-bridge-by-end-of-year-20220618-p5aur4.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628050141/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/aboriginal-flag-to-fly-permanently-atop-harbour-bridge-by-end-of-year-20220618-p5aur4.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2022, Premier [[Dominic Perrottet]] announced that the Australian, New South Wales and the Aboriginal flags were to permanently fly with a third pole erected.<ref>{{cite web |last=Meacham |first=Savannah |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/aboriginal-flag-sydney-harbour-bridge-nsw-premier-dominic-perrottet-says-flag-will-fly-permanently/e33581a2-6ef9-4c5d-a603-d47fce85afef |title=Aboriginal flag Sydney Harbour Bridge: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says flag will fly permanently over landmark |publisher=[[Nine.com.au]] |date=5 February 2022 |accessdate=18 March 2022 |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219034108/https://www.9news.com.au/national/aboriginal-flag-sydney-harbour-bridge-nsw-premier-dominic-perrottet-says-flag-will-fly-permanently/e33581a2-6ef9-4c5d-a603-d47fce85afef |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/indigenous-news/2022/02/05/aboriginal-flag-harbour-bridge/ |title=Aboriginal flag will fly high and proud on Sydney Harbour Bridge |publisher=[[The New Daily]] |date=5 February 2022 |accessdate=18 March 2022 |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219103205/https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/indigenous-news/2022/02/05/aboriginal-flag-harbour-bridge/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2022, it was announced that the Aboriginal flag would replace the New South Wales flag, which was given a prominent location within the Macquarie Street East redevelopment, near the [[Sydney Mint|Royal Mint]] and [[Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney|Hyde Park Barracks]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabe |first=Tom |date=2022-07-10 |title=Aboriginal flag to permanently replace NSW flag atop Sydney Harbour Bridge |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/aboriginal-flag-to-permanently-replace-nsw-flag-atop-sydney-harbour-bridge-20220710-p5b0i2.html |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711030009/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/aboriginal-flag-to-permanently-replace-nsw-flag-atop-sydney-harbour-bridge-20220710-p5b0i2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Quotations==
{{blockquote|There the proud arch Colossus like bestride<br />Yon glittering streams and bound the strafing tide.|Prophetic observation of Sydney Cove by [[Erasmus Darwin]], grandfather of [[Charles Darwin]], from his poem "Visit of Hope to Sydney Cove, near Botany Bay", (1789).}}

{{blockquote|I open this bridge in the name of His Majesty the King and all the decent citizens of NSW.|Francis de Groot "opening" the Sydney Harbour Bridge, (1932). His organisation, the New Guard, had resented the fact that King George V had not been asked to open the bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bos.nsw.edu.au/building-the-bridge/bradfield-and-lang.php|title=JJC Bradfield and JT Lang: the movers and shakers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202110520/http://sydney-harbour-bridge.bos.nsw.edu.au/building-the-bridge/bradfield-and-lang.php|archive-date=2 December 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=12 April 2019|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}

{{blockquote|To get on in Australia, you must make two observations. Say, "You have the most beautiful bridge in the world" and "They tell me you trounced England again in the cricket." The first statement will be a lie. Sydney Bridge {{sic}} is big, utilitarian and the symbol of Australia, like the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower. But it is very ugly. No Australian will admit this.|[[James Michener]] assesses the Sydney Harbour Bridge in his book ''[[Return to Paradise (novel)|Return to Paradise]]'', (1951).<ref>Michener, James, ''Return to Paradise'', (1951), Corgi Books:London, page 275</ref>}}

{{blockquote|...in a gesture of anomalous exhilaration, at the worst time of the depression Sydney opened its Harbour Bridge, one of the talismanic structures of the earth, and by far the most striking thing ever built in Australia. At that moment, I think, contemporary Sydney began, perhaps definitive Sydney. | [[Jan Morris]] gives her own assessment of the bridge in her book ''Sydney'', (1982)<ref>Morris, Jan, ''Sydney'' (1982), [[Faber & Faber]], London. Page 24</ref>}}

{{blockquote|...you can see it from every corner of the city, creeping into frame from the oddest angles, like an uncle who wants to get into every snapshot. From a distance it has a kind of gallant restraint, majestic but not assertive, but up close it is all might. It soars above you, so high that you could pass a ten-storey building beneath it, and looks like the heaviest thing on earth. Everything that is in it – the stone blocks in its four towers, the latticework of girders, the metal plates, the six-million rivets (with heads like halved apples) – is the biggest of its type you have ever seen... This is a great bridge.|American travel-writer [[Bill Bryson]]'s impressions of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in his book ''[[Down Under (book)|Down Under]]'' (2000).<ref name="bryson">{{cite book|last=Bryson|first=Bill|title=Down Under|year=2000|publisher=[[Transworld (company)|Transworld]]|isbn=0-552-99703-X|pages=80–81}}</ref>}}

{{wide image|Sydney Harbour Bridge night.jpg|1000px|Sydney Harbour Bridge as viewed from [[Kirribilli]] on the North Shore, with the [[Sydney Opera House]] on the left|center|dir=rtl}}

== Heritage listing ==
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge - December 2018.jpg|thumb|The Harbour Bridge is an important aspect of Sydney's cultural and architectural heritage.]]
At the time of construction and until recently, the bridge was the longest single span steel arch bridge in the world. The bridge, its pylons and its approaches are all important elements in townscape of areas both near and distant from it. The curved northern approach gives a grand sweeping entrance to the bridge with continually changing views of the bridge and harbour. The bridge has been an important factor in the pattern of growth of metropolitan Sydney, particularly in residential development in post World War II years. In the 1960s and 1970s the Central Business District had extended to the northern side of the bridge at North Sydney which has been due in part to the easy access provided by the bridge and also to the increasing traffic problems associated with the bridge.<ref name=nswshr-781-781-2>Walker and Kerr, 1974.</ref><ref name=nswshr-781>{{cite NSW SHR|5045703|Sydney Harbour Bridge, approaches and viaducts (road and rail)|hr=00781|fn=EF10/01415; S95/1518; S95/439|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref>

Sydney Harbour Bridge was listed on the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]] on 25 June 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.<ref name=nswshr-781/>

'''The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.'''

The bridge is one of the most remarkable feats of bridge construction. At the time of construction and until recently it was the longest single span steel arch bridge in the world and is still {{clarification needed span|text=in a general sense the largest.|reason=In what sense - specifically (as teasted out of a supporting citation)?|date=June 2025}}<ref name=nswshr-781-781-2/><ref name=nswshr-781/>

;Bradfield Park North (Sandstone Walls)
"The archaeological remains are demonstrative of an earlier phase of urban development within Milsons Point and the wider North Sydney precinct. The walls are physical evidence that a number of 19th century residences existed on the site which were resumed and demolished as part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge construction".<ref name=nswshr-781/><ref name=statement>Statement of Heritage Impact - Sandstone Walls: Bradfield Park North, Milsons Point (2003: 8)</ref><ref name="McFadyen and Stuart">McFadyen and Stuart, HLA Envirosciences</ref>

'''The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.'''

The bridge, its pylons and its approaches are all important elements in townscape of areas both near and distant from it. The curved northern approach gives a grand sweeping entrance to the bridge with continually changing views of the bridge and harbour.<ref name=nswshr-781-781-2/><ref name=nswshr-781/>

'''The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.'''

The bridge has been an important factor in the pattern of growth of metropolitan Sydney, particularly in residential development in post World War II years. In the 1960s and 1970s the Central Business District had extended to the northern side of the bridge at North Sydney which has been due in part to the easy access provided by the bridge and also to the increasing traffic problems associated with the bridge.<ref name=nswshr-781-781-2/><ref name=nswshr-781/>

'''The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.'''

;Bradfield Park North (Sandstone Walls)
"The archaeological remains have some potential to yield information about the previous residential and commercial occupation of Milsons Point prior to the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge transport link".<ref name=nswshr-781/><ref name=statement/><ref name="McFadyen and Stuart"/>

== Engineering recognition ==
[[File:ASCE 1988 plaque Sydney Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|The "International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark" plaque presented to Sydney Harbour Bridge by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] in 1988]]

The bridge was listed as a National Engineering Landmark by [[Engineers Australia]] in 1988 as part of its [[National Engineering Heritage Landmark|Engineering Heritage Recognition Program]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/heritage/sydney-harbour-bridge-1932
| title = Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1932-
| publisher = [[Engineers Australia]]
| access-date = 8 May 2020
| archive-date = 7 August 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200807173901/https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/heritage/sydney-harbour-bridge-1932
| url-status = live
}}</ref>  The bridge was also recognized by a plaque that year from the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] designating it an "International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark".

==See also==
{{Portal|Architecture|Transport|Engineering}}
* [[Australian landmarks]]
* [[List of the largest arch bridges]]
{{comparison_of_notable_bridges.svg}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{cite web|author=Attraction Homepage|year=2007|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge, approaches and viaducts (road and rail)|url=http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/}}
* {{cite web|author=BridgeClimb|year=2007|title=BridgeClimb|url=http://www.bridgeclimb.com/}}
* {{cite book|author=Di Fazio, B.|date=2001|title=Bradfield Park North, Milsons Point Archaeological Assessment}}
* {{cite book|last=Douglas|first=Peter|date=2005|title=Archaeological Management of Proposed Development of Bradfield Park Plaza, Bradfield Park South at Milsons Point NSW}}
* Four papers on the design and construction of the bridge in volume 238 of the Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, 1935 Kinley
* {{cite book|author=GHD Transportation Consultants Pty Ltd|date=1982|title=Environmental Impact Statement for ninth lane and fottway on Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney NSW}}
* {{cite book|author=Hughes, Nathanael (Photographer)|date=2015|title=Archival Photographic Recording of Bay 9, Middlemiss Street, Lavender Bay, NSW}}
* Knezevic, Daniel,(1947), "The Lost Bridge"
* {{cite book|author1=McFadyen, K. |author2=Stuart, I. |author3=HLA Envirosciences|date=2003|title=Statement of Heritage Impact - Sandstone Walls: Bradfield Park North, Milsons Point}}
* {{cite news|last=O'Brien|first=Geraldine|date=25 August 2003|title=Men of steel who built the bridge with hard yakka |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}
* {{cite book|author1=Russell, Meaghan |author2=McFadyen, Kylie |author3=HLA Envirosciences|date=2003|title=Section 65A Research Design: Cesspit or Well, Bradfield Park North, Milsons Point}}
* {{cite book|author1=Ryan, Peter |author2=Percival, Daniel|date=2005|title=Bradfield Park Lightning Pit: Photographic recording of Heritage Items (August 2005)}}
* {{cite book|author=RTA oral history program|date=2007|title=SydneyHarbourbridge celebrating 75 years / [electronic resource]}}
* {{cite web|author=Tourism NSW|year=2007|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout|url=http://www.visitnsw.com.au/Operator.aspx?ProductId=9014393}}
* {{cite book|author=Walker and Kerr|date=1974|title=National Trust Classification Card - Sydney Harbour Bridge}}

=== Attribution ===
{{NSW-SHR-CC-contains|name=Sydney Harbour Bridge, approaches and viaducts (road and rail)|dno=5045703|id=781|year=2018|accessdate=13 October 2018}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Sydney Harbour Bridge aerial views}}
{{Commons category|Sydney Harbour Bridge}}
{{Commons category|Sydney Harbour Bridge (construction)}}
{{Wikiquote|Sydney Harbour Bridge}}
* {{Structurae|id=20000261|title=Sydney Harbour Bridge}}
* [http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/HistoryAndArchives/SydneyHistory/HistoricBuildings/SydneyHarbourBridge.asp Sydney City Council]
* {{cite web | url = http://dictionaryofsydney.org/structure/sydney_harbour_bridge | title = Sydney Harbour Bridge | access-date = 8 October 2015 |  work=[[Dictionary of Sydney]]}} <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Creative Commons license|CC-By-SA]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>. Features 'Sydney Harbour Bridge' by Jim Poe, 2014 and 'Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge' by Laila Ellmoos and Lisa Murray, 2015, with images.
* [http://www.bridgeclimb.com/ BridgeClimb]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070320020544/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/index/0,22045,5012637,00.html Sydney Harbour Bridge turns 75 – Feature from Daily Telegraph]
* [http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/men-at-work-on-sydneys-harbour-bridge.htm Men at work: Sydney's Harbour Bridge – Australian Geographic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928032724/http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/men-at-work-on-sydneys-harbour-bridge.htm |date=28 September 2011 }}
* [http://www.ourbridge.com.au/ 75th Anniversary Celebrations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831024604/http://www.ourbridge.com.au/ |date=31 August 2010 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131121070458/http://www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au/ NSW Bike Plan – Bicycle Information for New South Wales]
* [http://sydneyharbourbridge.aussieblogs.com.au/ Sydney Harbour Bridge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226001358/http://sydneyharbourbridge.aussieblogs.com.au/ |date=26 February 2021 }} – News and Events
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54102854 Description of SHB project in 1924 newspaper, including statistics and dimensions.]
* [http://harveycohen.net/bridge_climb Account of an illegal bridge climb in 1961]
* {{citation |chapter-url=http://www.railwaywondersoftheworld.com/sydney-harbour.html |chapter=Sydney Harbour Bridge |title=Railway Wonders of the World |year=1936 |pages=1195–1208 |editor-first=Clarence |editor-last=Winchester }} illustrated account of the construction and completion of the bridge
* [http://www.asa.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/asa/railcorp-legacy/disciplines/civil/esc-215.pdf Railway loading gauge]
* [http://www.catalyst.com.au/Public_files/Fixing_the_trains_in_Sydney_1855_revisited_Sandy_Thomas_August_2013_landscape_format.pdf Railway loading gauge discussion]
*{{cite web|url=https://amplify.sl.nsw.gov.au/?sort_by=title&order=asc&collection_id=2|title=Richard Raxworthy - interviews, 1982-1989, with Sydney Harbour Bridge builders, relating experiences 1923-1932|website=Amplify – State Library of New South Wales|access-date=5 June 2018}}
 
'''Webcams''':
* [http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/trafficreports/innersydcameras/harbourbridge.html Road Traffic Authority webcams]

'''Images''':
* [http://www.nfsa.gov.au/digitallearning/constructingaustralia/thebridge/spanning.htm Interactive Imaging of Proposals]
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an10997079 Bridge during construction]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=wN4DAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1930+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&pg=PA759 "Arch Bridge in Australia to Have Record Span", ''Popular Mechanics'', May 1929]
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3307575 Air views of the opening celebrations, 19 March 1932] / photographed by W. E. Searle
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an23148082 Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Olympic Games, 19–26 September 2000] / Loui Seselja
* [http://sigmatestudio.com/2009/10/sydney-harbour-bridge-grass-picnic/ Picnic on Sydney Harbour Bridge] / Sigmate Studio
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091029161036/http://www.boudist.com/archive/2009/10/25/breakfast-sydney-harbour-bridge.php Breakfast on the Bridge] / Daniel Boud
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an14156869 Buildings and roads around North Sydney and Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1958–1961] / Wolfgang Sievers

{{Bridges in Sydney |state=autocollapse}}
{{Road infrastructure in Sydney}}
{{Australian railway bridges|state=autocollapse}}
{{Sydney landmarks}}
{{Architecture of Sydney |state=autocollapse}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sydney Harbour Bridge}}
[[Category:Australian National Heritage List]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1932]]
[[Category:Bridges in Sydney]]
[[Category:Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks]]
[[Category:Railway bridges in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Road-rail bridges in Australia]]
[[Category:Sydney Harbour]]
[[Category:Through arch bridges in Australia]]
[[Category:Toll bridges in Australia]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Sydney]]
[[Category:1932 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Roads with a reversible lane]]
[[Category:Milsons Point, New South Wales]]
[[Category:New South Wales State Heritage Register]]
[[Category:Dawes Point, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register]]
[[Category:1930s in Sydney]]
[[Category:Road bridges in New South Wales]]
[[Category:North Shore railway line]]
[[Category:Steel bridges in Australia]]
[[Category:Recipients of Engineers Australia engineering heritage markers]]