Along with the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge - Sydney's largest bridge and one of the largest arch bridges in the world - is arguably the city's main landmark of the city. Locals call the bridge "The Hanger" for its distinctive shape.
The Harbour Bridge, built back in 1932 across Port Jackson Bay, connects Sydney's business centre with the Northern Sydney's business centre to the North Shore. Prior to this, it was crossed over the bay by ferry ferry, although the first designs for the bridge were proposed by various engineers as early as the mid-19th century. Today, the bridge carries 8 motorways, 2 railway lines, as well as pedestrian and bicycle paths. By the way, travelling across the bridge is not toll-free - about $2.
The length of the arch span of the bridge is 503 metres, which is only 15 metres less than the span of the world's longest arch bridge, the Fayetteville Arch Bridge, built over a gorge in West Virginia, USA. And the total length of the bridge is 1,149 metres.
The steel arch of the Harbour Bridge, weighing 39,000 tonnes, rises above the waters of the gulf for 139 metres. Under it can freely pass any sea vessels. Interesting fact: on hot days, due to the expansion of the heated metal, the height of the arch can increase in height by 18 centimetres!
Since 1998, regular excursions have been organised on the bridge - the side arch can be used to climb to the very top of the Harbour Bridge, which offers a stunning panorama of the city.
