Construction of the arch of the bridge began in 1929, with two separate teams building the arch from the north and south sides of the harbour using creeper cranes. The two sides of the arch joined on the afternoon of 19 August 1930.
The southern end of the bridge was worked on a month ahead of the northern end, in order to detect any errors and to ensure that they did not happen on the northern side.
A berthed ship and a harbour ferry with the the arch of the bridge nearing completion in 1930 in the background.
The roadway, incorporating two sets of train and tram tracks, under construction by suspension from the now completed arch. Four granite pylons also under construction at the ends of the arch.
Trams and motor vehicles on nearby George Street north in 1931 with the arch of the bridge just visible in the murky sky background.
The bridge was completed in 1932. This poster celebrates the opening.
The opening ceremony on 19 March 1932.
Captain Francis de Groot who was a member of the right-wing paramilitary organisation called the New Guard, which was politically opposed to the rather more left-wing government of the Premier, Jack Lang. Captain de Groot was not a member of the official party, but dressed in his military uniform he was able to blend in with other soldiers on horseback who were guarding the dignitaries. Mr Lang was about to cut the ribbon to formally open the bridge, when Captain de Groot rode forward, drew his ceremonial sword and, reaching down from his mount, flamboyantly slashed the ribbon, declaring the bridge open "in the name of the decent and respectable people of New South Wales."
The ribbon, restored, is officially cut by Mr Lang.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge as it appears nowadays.
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