On 19 March 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was officially opened, after some 20 long years of planning, delayed by a world war, eight gruelling years of building and reportedly 56 years to pay off.
Originally proposed in 1815, the Bridge opened up the northern side of Sydney to development and was a symbolic achievement for our nation during a time of hardship. The Bridge has come to be a globally-recognised icon of our nation and centrepiece for New Year's Eve celebrations.
Prominent Australian civil engineer, Dr John Bradfield, and his team at the NSW Department of Public Works oversaw the entire bridge design and building process. Bradfield's leadership of, and contribution to, the project earned him the legacy as "father of the bridge" and the road approaching and crossing the bridge was named the "Bradfield Highway". He is also renowned for other Australian engineering projects, both completed and proposed
