#OnThisDay 19 August 1930 at 10pm the two halves of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were joined. The two half arches were fabricated from steel in workshops before being loaded onto barges and towed into position. The arches were then lifted up by two 580 tonne electrically operated creeper cranes. The arch spans 503m and the summit is 134m above sea level. Steel decking was then hung from the arches over the next nine months.
The bridge was officially opened on 19 March 1932.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald. (1932). Scenes at the historic opening ceremony of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
A video montage of the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the photo series NRS 12865 (listed here)
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From the Collection
Browse the complete series Sydney Harbour Bridge photographic albums (NRS 12685)
