SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

Taranaki Daily News, 8 August 1930, Page 9

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS TWO COLOSSAL ARMS MEET COMPLETION IN TWO YEARS By Telegraph--Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 9.25 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 7. After years of patient watching Sydney citizens to-day saw the northern and southern arms of the colossal harbour bridge almost meet in the centre. So close together are the two that a plank placed acroce the gap, which is actually 42 inches, completed the spanning of the harbour and enabled Mr. L. Ennis, director of the bridge construction, to make the first crossing from the north to the south, a distinction which he was not slow to appreciate. Three hundred and fifty feet above the water, resembling a mere ni (r my, he crossed the plank to the opposite side and cordially shook hands with the werks overseer. ‘‘We have been a long time waiting for this wonderful moment,” he said, “but the Sydney people have been waiting very much longer.” It is expected that the bridge will be completely joined by August 25, but it will not actually be ready for traffic - til 1932. , . , , The manner in which the mighty steel branches have .come together from opposite sides of the harbour, meeting in the centre in perfect alignment, has been described by regular ferry travellers and visitors from overseas as an amazing feat of engineering. There is already 28,000 tons of steel in the arch, which is 1653 feet long.