BRIDGED!

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 186, 8 August 1930, Page 7

BRIDGED!

SYDNEY HARBOUR.

Completion of Colossal Arch

Span.

AMAZING ENGINEERING PEAT,

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

SYDNEY, August 7

After years of patient watching citizens of Sydney to-day saw the northern and southern arms of the colossal harbour bridge almost meet in the centre.

So close together are the two sections that a plank placed across the gap, which is actually only 42 inches, completed the spanning of the harbour and enabled Mr. L. Eniiis, director of the construction work, to make the first crossing from north to south, a distinction which he Was not slow to appreciate.

High above the water, resembling a mere pigmy, Mr. Ennis crossed the plank to the opposite side and cordially shook hands with the works overseer. He said: "We have been a long time waiting for this wonderful moment, but the people of Sydney have been waiting very much longer."

It is expected that the bridge will bo completely joined by August 25, but it will not 'bo actually ready for 'traffic until 1932.

Tho manner in which the mighty steel approaches have come together from opposite sides of the harbour, meeting at the centre in perfect alignment, has been described by regular ferry travellers and visitors from overseas as an amazing feat of engineering.

Already there arc ,28,000 tons of steel in tho arch, which is 1650 feet in length. The next step will be the erection of steel hangers for the traffic deck.