SYDNEY'S BRIDGE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 13

SYDNEY'S BRIDGE.

j ACROSS THE HARBOUR. ! SLX FIRMS TENDER. i Uracil OC3 otk coasscroKß.EiJT.} j SIDNEY, January 24. j With tho submission of twenty lenii- ' crs by six firms—iv. o Australian, one Scottish, one English, and Canadian and American firms—for the construction of tho great- which io to span the Sydney harbour, a, mik-sivo worh, tho movement for •ivhich dalcss back almost, to tho mist of years, has been brought almost to the point of practical beginning. The amounts submitted by lilts different firms are not yet available, but there ia the definite statement by tho Minister that the bridge vi-ill now be built. One of the greatest engineering works of its kind in tiie world, it will probably be completed in live or six years. The tenderers ineludo some of tho moat notable firms abroad, now represented in Sydney, for Lbo purposes of the bridge tenders, by a brilliant group of mnn. Tho preparation by them of tho tenders for the big work lias been a giant taslc. and a costly ono Tt is estimated that, to jits representatives out hero for the occasion, and to prepare and submit its tenders, it has cost each firm at the Tory least £IO,OOO, but this ia a conservative estimate, especially whero a big firm liko Sir Wni. Arrol and Co., of Glaasorr, has threo of its biggest men on tho spot. ]t has probably cost the firm £15,000 or moro. Again, the English Electric Co., of Sydney, is putting its faith in Dr. D. B. Stcinman, an American, and ono of the etiginccra in th© world. Such a man can command his own fee. Then there is Dr. Porter, who built the Quebec bridge, anions cither birr rnen. Until tho tenders wero submilted, and the "Sydney Morning Herald," ■with special photographs and illustra- ' tion3, told the public all about tho firms and their representatives, Sydney was unaware that it had in its midst such an imposing group of engineers. New South Wales is represented by tho Goninan Bridgo Corporation, of Newcastle, aad whero Mr A. Goninan is the principal of the big firm of Messrs A Goninan and Co., engineers and ironfounders. The general belief, however, is that tho work will go to one of the firms abroad, especially as they have all specialised in bridgo building. Whatever firm gets the job, when it is started, a great day for Sydney will have, I dawned.