History
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was a feat of world-class engineering when it was completed in 1932.The monumental pylons and the clear structural statement of the steelwork create a memorable combined impression.
While the design of the arch and pylons was closely based on New York’s Hell Gate Bridge (1916), the span of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is longer at 503 metres, and it contains the heaviest steelwork of its kind ever constructed. The bridge is still considered to have the greatest steel arch in the world because of its combination of span, width and load bearing capacity, and for the difficulties that had to be overcome during its erection.
What is being done to protect the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) regularly maintains the steelwork on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Protecting the intricate web of steelwork from corrosion is the most important factor in the conservation of the arch and approach spans.
Constant inspection is necessary and a variety of tradespeople are needed to help maintain the bridge. These trades include ironworkers, boilermakers, fitters, electricians, plasterers, carpenters, plumbers, riggers and painters.
Regular repainting is an essential and ongoing part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge maintenance program. Around 485,000 square metres of steelwork – the equivalent in area to 60 football fields – needs to be painted. To give the bridge just one coat 30,000 litres of paint is required.
Current works
The RTA started repainting the southern approach spans on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in March 2003.
The work involves the removal of old paint and the repainting of 90,000 square metres of steelwork below the deck level of the southern approach spans.
The work is being done from fully contained platforms suspended under the deck level to provide access to the steelwork. Each platform has an air extraction system to remove and filter all airborne particles from the work area.
The existing paint is being removed by an abrasive blasting process and will generate some noise. The lead waste is then being safely removed from the site.
The work compounds established under each platform contain air compressors, a garnet grit recycler, a dust collector and blasting units. When the platforms are moved on to the next section on the bridge the work compounds will move as required.
For more information on the repainting contact:
Peter Mann, RTA Project Manager, Sydney Harbour Bridge
Phone: 131 782
PO Box 2, Millers Point NSW 2000
rta@rta.nsw.gov.au
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