The Coat Hanger

The Coat Hanger Let's travel back in time to 1928, the place is Sydney (Australia) The local government wanted to create a harbour crossing from the North to South of Sydney, architects were brought in to draw up plans for it's conception, there were suspension bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Golden Gate, but were turned down however, they decided to make a single span arch bridge similar to the railway bridge in Pennsylvania USA, they started the build in 1928 and over a period of four years the Sydney Harbour bridge became a reality, made of steel and the blood and sweat of men some who died during it's construction. This bridge was unique in design, It had a large single arch, capable of rail, tram and motor vehicles, with two walkways either side of the bridge deck, it had four magnificent sand stone pylons. In 1932 the bridge was opened twice, firstly by a soldier on horseback named DeGroot who slashed the ceremonial ribbon with his sword, he opened the bridge in honour of the people of NSW, however the ribbon was replaced and opened officially by the State Labor Governor Jack Lang who cut the ribbon with ceremonial ornamental scissors, then they removed the locomotives which had been used to test the bridge for strength, shortly thereafter the bridge was opened for use by commuters. Before that happened the gathering crowds were permitted to walk the entire length of the bridge, when this had been completed the first train and motor vehicles travelled across the bridge. Sydney had a brand new bridge, 'The Bridge of Dreams' or as it became famous for years later 'The Coat Hanger', this bridge had been built during Sydney's depression years, it still remains today an icon to all. Written: 4th August 2013