The Arch that Cut the Sky. The Bridge: A Five-Part Series Loading...
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Bridge Explorer

What would Sydney Harbour look like if the Bridge was without its signature arch?

Between the 1840s and 1924, over 70 designs were suggested for a harbour crossing. The designs ranged from the unusual, like floating bridges, to the more practical harbour tunnels and single span bridges.

The government ran four separate bridge design competitions. By 1924, more than 20 designs had been submitted from national and international engineering companies, which were proudly exhibited at the Queen Victoria Markets. However, these designs would remain, simply, designs.

Explore in 3D what might have been had any of the following five designs been chosen to be the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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Bridge Explorer

McClintic Marshall Products Co. tender for a suspension bridge, Tender D, Sydney Harbour Bridge: report on tenders, 1924, TQ028863

This is one of five designs proposed by the McClintic Marshall Products Company. Their designs incorporated cantilever bridges, suspension bridges and an arch bridge.

View in catalogue
Find out more about the alternative bridge designs in Episode 2

McClintic Marshall Products Co. tender for a suspension bridge, Tender B, Sydney Harbour Bridge: report on tenders, 1924, TQ028863

This is one of five designs proposed by the McClintic Marshall Products Company. Their designs incorporated cantilever bridges, suspension bridges and an arch bridge.

View in catalogue
Find out more about the alternative bridge designs in Episode 2

McClintic Marshall Products Co. tender for a suspension bridge, Tender C, Sydney Harbour Bridge: report on tenders, 1924, TQ028863

This is one of five designs proposed by the McClintic Marshall Products Company. Their designs incorporated cantilever bridges, suspension bridges and an arch bridge.

View in catalogue
Find out more about the alternative bridge designs in Episode 2

The English Electric Co. of Australia Ltd tenders for a suspension bridge, Plan No. 2, Sydney Harbour Bridge : report on tenders, 1924, TQ028863

This is one of three suspension bridge designs proposed by the English Electric Company of Australia.

View in catalogue
Find out more about the alternative bridge designs in Episode 2

Series 02: Item 15, Cuttings mainly regarding suggestions for a second harbour bridge in Sydney, 1922, MLMSS 1381/Box 2/Item 15

This three-span bridge, proposed by Lieutenant-Colonel F. Ernest Stowe, would have linked Milsons Point, Balmain and North Sydney, supported by a 300–feet tall central tower on Goat Island.

View in catalogue
Find out more about the alternative bridge designs in Episode 2

McClintic-Marshall Tender D
McClintic-Marshall Tender B
McClintic-Marshall Tender C
English Electric Co
3 Way