History of the Iron Cove Bridge

The original Iron Cove Bridge was opened in November 1882. Two bridges (the other being at Gladesville) were built to shorten the distance to the city from farms in the Parramatta district.

The existing Iron Cove Bridge was commissioned to replace the original bridge in September 1955. This steel truss bridge forms a local landmark that has a 'gateway' quality for the suburbs of Balmain and Drummoyne. It is one of the largest steel truss bridges constructed in NSW; steel bridges are relatively rare. It stands as a record of NSW State Government optimism in the depressed period after World War II.

The bridge was officially opened by the Hon. J.J. Cahill, MLA, Premier and Colonial Treasurer of NSW on 30 July 1955. The design of the bridge uses many elements of the Inter-War Art Deco style (1915 to 1940), including distinctive piers and abutments. The original bridge was dismantled soon after the new bridge was built. Some spans belonging to the original bridge were transported and reused for part of the Gunning Gap Bridge near Forbes.

An additional lane was added to the western side of the bridge to increase its capacity.  This additional lane has now been decommissioned and could be used to assist maintenance of the steel truss bridge in the future.