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Ross Crawford / projects / shb / iscc

Rosco’s LugNet Page

These pages are no longer updated. You can view my LEGO related pages here.

All images hosted by Brickshelf L.L.C. but who knows how long that will last.

Building the Studley Harbour bridge

Harbour Bridge

This is my entry in the 1st International System Creativity Contest, in the Model Team section, under the title “Timeless Elegance”.

Update: I got 4th in the “Best constructed” category! Yippee! Check the winners here.

Further update: I also got a random participation prize!

Another further update: It got 24th overall! The list is here.

You may notice that “Sydney” is never mentioned. There were 2 reasons for that:

I already knew I was going to call it the “Studley Harbour bridge”, and
I wanted to emphasize just how recognisable it is. Did anyone fail to recognise it?

This is a link to the actual entry page, though it may disappear after the competition finishes.

In 1926, construction started on a bridge across Port Jackson, between Dawes point and Milsons point. It was completed in 1932, and at 503 metres, would have been the longest arch span in the world, had not New York’s Bayonne bridge (just 60cm longer!) been completed less than a year earlier. Since 1932 it has become indispensable to commuters - the billionth vehicle crossing in June 1976. Because of it’s timeless elegance it has become one of the most recognised structures in the world.

The arch is supported by 4 huge hinges - 2 at each end. Each hinge bearing is over 4 metres long, 368 millimetres in diameter, and carries a maximum load of about 20,000 tonnes.

The arch weighs about 39,000 tonnes and contains over 6 million rivets.

The view from the top of the arch is a must-see for visitors. But getting there is not for the feint of heart!

For more information on the bridge and it’s history, visit the museum in the south east pylon.

Site last modified November 4, 2004 Home

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