Hubbry Logo
Anzac BridgeAnzac BridgeMain
Open search
Anzac Bridge
Community hub
Anzac Bridge
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Anzac Bridge
Anzac Bridge
from Wikipedia

The Anzac Bridge is an eight-lane cable-stayed bridge that carries the Western Distributor (A4) across Johnstons Bay between Pyrmont and Glebe Island (part of the suburb of Rozelle), on the western fringe of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge forms part of the road network leading from the central business district, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Cross City Tunnel to the Inner West and Northern Suburbs.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Glebe Island bridges

[edit]

There were two bridges over Johnstons Bay before the construction of the Anzac Bridge.

The first bridge was constructed as part of a project to move the abattoirs out of central Sydney, and to construct public abattoirs at Glebe Island.[3] The first pile of the original bridge was driven in October 1860.[4] The bridge was opened in 1862 and was a timber beam bridge 318.6 metres (1,045 feet 5 inches) long and 8.5 m (28 ft) wide with a 12 m (40 ft) swing section on the eastern side. It replaced a double steam punt crossing.[4]

The second Glebe Island Bridge was an electrically operated swing bridge opened in 1903, the year after the opening of the new Pyrmont Bridge over Sydney's Darling Harbour, which has a similar design. The bridge was designed by Percy Allan of the New South Wales Public Works Department who also designed the Pyrmont Bridge. Delays due to increasing traffic, which were exacerbated by having to close a major arterial road to allow the movement of shipping into Blackwattle Bay, led to the construction of the present-day Anzac Bridge. The 1903 bridge is still standing, but there is no access to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.

Anzac Bridge

[edit]

The stay cable design concept development and final design for the new bridge were carried out by a team from the Roads & Traffic Authority, led by their Chief Bridge Engineer Ray Wedgwood and the construction by Baulderstone.[5] The bridge was opened to traffic on 3 December 1995 as the Glebe Island Bridge.[6]

The bridge was given its current name on Remembrance Day in 1998[7] to honour the memory of the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (known as Anzacs) who served in World War I. An Australian Flag flies atop the eastern pylon and a New Zealand Flag flies atop the western pylon. A bronze memorial statue of an Australian Anzac soldier ("digger") holding a Lee–Enfield rifle in the "rest on arms reverse" drill position was placed on the western end of the bridge on Anzac Day in 2000. A statue of a New Zealand soldier was added to a plinth across the road from the Australian Digger, facing towards the east, and was unveiled by Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark in the presence of Premier of New South Wales Morris Iemma on Sunday 27 April 2008.[8]

Description

[edit]

The bridge is 32.2 m (105 ft 8 in) wide and the main span is 345 m (1,132 ft) long. The reinforced concrete pylons are 120 m (390 ft) high[9] and support the deck by two planes of stay cables. Initially the stay cables were plagued by vibrations which have since been resolved by the addition of thin stabilising cables between the stay cables.[10]

There is a grade-separated shared pedestrian footpath and cycleway located on the northern side of the bridge, making possible a walk from Glebe Point Road, down Bridge Road, over the bridge and round Blackwattle Bay back to Glebe Point Road.[citation needed]

The bridge can carry a maximum of 180,000 cars per day. It reached its maximum capacity in 2002, only seven years after it was finished and consistent with the principles of induced demand of traffic.[5]

The bridge is regularly patrolled by security guards as a counter-terrorist attack measure. Security cameras also monitor the walkway.[5]

The bridge has a speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour (37 miles per hour): it was reduced from 70 km/h (43 mph) in January 2005.[11] Also prior to that date, the bridge had seven traffic lanes (4 eastbound, 3 westbound).

Originally, there were bus stops at the western end of the bridge, but they were removed because buses pulling out from the stops created a hazard as they merged with other traffic moving at (or close to) the speed limit. The Australian Anzac statue on the northern side of the bridge is adjacent to the former city-bound bus stop; the New Zealand Anzac statue was installed within the ramp area of the former stop on the southern side.

Panoramic view from Blackwattle Bay ferry wharf, Glebe, with F10 ferry Me-Mel
[edit]

The bridge has been used in a number of artistic works including:

  • The bridge was used in the Looking for Alibrandi (1999) movie scene where the title character, Josephine Alibrandi, and her date Jacob Coote rode across the bridge on Jacob's motorcycle.
  • Deni Hines' song "It's Alright" (1995) features the nearly completed bridge in the music video group dance sequences, the filming of which taking place a few months before the bridge's December 1995 opening.
  • You Am I's song "Purple Sneakers" from the band's album Hi Fi Way (1995) opens with the lyric "Had a scratch only you could itch, underneath the Glebe Point bridge". The Glebe Island Bridge was still under construction when Tim Rogers wrote and recorded the song in 1994, with the bridge's name change to 'Anzac Bridge' not occurring until 1998.[7][12][13]
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Anzac Bridge is an eight-lane in , , , spanning Johnstons Bay and connecting the suburbs of Pyrmont and as part of the Western Distributor (A4) motorway. Completed in 1995 at a cost of A$170 million to replace the outdated 1903 Glebe Island Bridge, it measures 805 metres in total length with a central span of 345 metres, making it Australia's longest cable-stayed bridge upon opening. Originally named Glebe Island Bridge, it was renamed Anzac Bridge on , 11 November 1998, by Premier to honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who served in . The bridge's design features two diamond-shaped reinforced concrete towers rising 120 metres high, anchored by 128 steel stay cables that support the prestressed concrete deck, allowing large ships to pass beneath while providing a shared and cycle path. began in 1990 under the Public Works Department and was managed by the Roads and Traffic Authority, utilizing innovative balanced methods to erect 10-metre deck segments weighing up to 460 tonnes each. Flanked by statues of ANZAC sculpted by Alan Somerville, the structure serves as both a critical —carrying around 125,000 vehicles daily as of 2022—and a prominent , enhancing 's western gateway to the . Ongoing upgrades, including technology and interchange improvements, continue to address growing congestion and ensure its role in the city's network.

History

Early Bridges at Glebe Island

The first permanent crossing at Glebe Island was a timber opened in 1862, which replaced an earlier steam punt service that had operated across Johnstons Bay to support the newly established Glebe Island abattoirs and associated industrial activities. Constructed as a private toll primarily from Tasmanian blackbutt logs, the structure included a hand-cranked, one-sided swing span balanced by a to accommodate passing vessels, thereby facilitating the transport of and to Sydney's growing western suburbs. This bridge marked a significant advancement in regional connectivity, enabling reliable land access where water-based ferries had previously dominated. By 1901, the timber bridge had fallen into poor repair due to heavy use and environmental exposure, prompting the government to commission a more durable replacement. Designed by engineer Percy Allan and constructed by the Public Works Department's Bridges Branch between 1899 and 1903, the second Glebe Island Bridge was a steel truss structure featuring two fixed approach spans and a central electrically operated swing span—the first of its kind in to use from the nearby Ultimo Powerhouse. This innovative design allowed for efficient opening and closing while providing vital access to the abattoirs, stockyards, and industrial facilities on Glebe Island, integrating into the broader "" network that linked central to outlying areas. Despite its engineering advancements, the 1903 bridge faced mounting operational challenges from maritime demands, with the swing span requiring frequent openings—5,499 times in the 1903–1904 period alone—to permit ship traffic between Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay, each operation causing 4 to 7 minutes of delay for vehicles. As Sydney's population and industrial traffic surged through the mid- to late , these interruptions led to severe road congestion, particularly during peak hours, rendering the low-level design inadequate for modern volumes. The bridge underwent a major upgrade in 1933 to address decaying piles but ultimately proved obsolete; it was decommissioned on December 2, 1995, and placed in a permanently open position to clear the way for the Anzac Bridge, the third structure at this site.

Development and Construction

The development of the Anzac Bridge began in the mid-1980s as part of Sydney's broader City West Link road network, aimed at addressing escalating on the outdated Glebe Island Bridge, which had limited capacity and frequently disrupted maritime traffic due to its swing mechanism. The Roads and Traffic Authority of (RTA, now ) initiated planning to replace the 1903 structure with a high-level fixed crossing to improve connectivity between the city's western suburbs and the via the Western Distributor. Preliminary site works, including driving steel casings into bedrock for the bridge footings, commenced in 1989 under RTA oversight, but construction paused in 1991 amid an economic and shortages. With federal government secured, full-scale restarted in April 1992, led by contractor Baulderstone Hornibrook, while the RTA served as the lead designer and project authority. The project incorporated advanced engineering to span Johnstons Bay without impeding navigation, reflecting lessons from the predecessor's operational constraints. A pivotal decision during planning was adopting a cable-stayed configuration instead of an initial box proposal, which would have required piers in the and heightened risks of ship collisions; this choice ensured minimal obstruction to port activities while supporting eight lanes of traffic. The total construction cost reached A$170 million, covering materials like 35,700 cubic meters of and 128 stay cables. The bridge was completed ahead of revised schedules, with the two deck halves joined on 24 July 1995 following phased tower and segment erection, and it opened to traffic on 3 December 1995 under the temporary name Glebe Island Bridge. This marked the decommissioning of the old bridge and a significant upgrade to Sydney's urban transport infrastructure.

Design and Engineering

Structural Features

The Anzac Bridge employs a cable-stayed design, featuring a main span of 345 meters that crosses Johnstons Bay, making it Australia's longest upon completion. This configuration is supported by two diamond-shaped pylons, each rising 120 meters from base to tip, with approximately 69 meters extending above the deck level. The pylons anchor 128 stay cables in total, arranged in a fan pattern across two planes, with cables varying in length from 88 to 188 meters and composed of multiple galvanized steel strands encased in sheaths for protection. The bridge deck, constructed using segments approximately 10 meters long, forms a 32.2-meter-wide accommodating eight lanes of vehicular . These segments were match-cast and erected using a balanced method with a form traveler, enabling efficient assembly while minimizing on-site work and ensuring structural integrity through post-tensioning. Designed for high-volume urban , the deck supports a maximum daily capacity of 180,000 vehicles, contributing to its role in alleviating congestion in Sydney's . Post-construction, the stay cables experienced significant aeroelastic vibrations induced by rain and wind, leading to the installation of additional stabilizing cables that diagonally connect the stays to the deck, effectively oscillations and preventing . The bridge integrates seamlessly with the City West Link and Western Distributor (A4 motorway), providing direct connectivity to Sydney's broader road network without intermediate supports in the main span.

Construction Techniques

The construction of the Anzac Bridge utilized specialized techniques tailored to its cable-stayed configuration, enabling efficient erection over Johnstons Bay while addressing environmental and logistical challenges. The 120-meter diamond-shaped pylons, constructed from , were erected using a jump-form system that allowed incremental lifting of in precise stages, positioning the towers on land to avoid submarine cables and potential ship collisions. This method facilitated rapid vertical progression, with the western pylon completed by November 1993 and the eastern by mid-1994. The main 345-meter span was assembled via the balanced cantilever method, where the bridge deck was extended symmetrically from each pylon using a 280-tonne form traveller to support the casting of 10-meter precast concrete segments weighing approximately 460 tonnes each. These segments were sequentially lifted into place with hydraulic jacks, including L180 centre-hole jacks equipped with custom fail-safe pumps for millimetre-level precision and tensioning of the stay cables as the deck advanced. The 128 stay cables, comprising 25 to 74 waxed and polyethylene-sheathed steel strands each, were installed progressively after pylon completion, with initial strands winched and tensioned before adding subsequent ones via drawing wheels and hydraulic jacks to maintain structural balance. Construction over water was managed to limit interference with maritime traffic in Johnstons Bay, relying on land-based pylons that eliminated the need for in-water foundations and allowed the form traveller to be relocated by during tidal windows for heavy lifts of 100 to 300 tonnes. This approach ensured ongoing shipping access without extensive halts, as the design avoided central waterway obstructions. The project, spanning from January 1992 to December 1995, involved hundreds of skilled workers on-site, supported by contractors like Baulderstone Hornibrook and subcontractors such as Austress Freyssinet, with safety protocols emphasizing lifting systems and vibration controls during cable tensioning to protect personnel at heights.

Physical Description

Dimensions and Layout

The Anzac Bridge measures 805 meters in total length, with a central main span of 345 meters and two side spans of approximately 140 meters each. This configuration allows the structure to cross Johnstons Bay efficiently while integrating with the urban roadway network on both sides. The cable-stayed support system facilitates these span lengths, providing stability over the waterway without intermediate piers in the main channel. The bridge deck spans 32.2 meters in width, designed to carry eight vehicular lanes in a dual-direction format, optimizing for high-volume urban . Adjacent to the traffic lanes on the northern side is a shared pathway designated for both pedestrians and cyclists, which enhances multi-modal access across the . Vertical clearances are calibrated to accommodate maritime traffic, with a minimum navigation clearance of 27 meters above high water. The pylons rise to approximately 69 meters above the deck level, contributing to the bridge's distinctive silhouette against the skyline. Structurally, the bridge aligns from Pyrmont in the east to in the west, aligning with the surrounding for seamless integration into the city's . This layout supports the Western Distributor's role as a key arterial route, balancing land and water use in the densely developed harbor area.

Commemorative Elements

The Anzac Bridge was officially renamed on , 11 November 1998, by Premier to honor the Australian and Corps (ANZAC) and their service in and subsequent conflicts, marking the 80th anniversary of the . This renaming transformed the structure, originally opened in 1995 as the Island Bridge, into a lasting to ANZAC sacrifices. A key commemorative feature is the pair of bronze statues depicting soldiers, both sculpted by New Zealand-born artist Alan Somerville and standing approximately 4 meters tall in the "rest on arms reverse" position with Lee-Enfield rifles. The Australian "digger" statue was dedicated at the western end of the bridge on , 25 April 2000, symbolizing the valor of Australian forces. The complementary soldier statue was unveiled at the eastern end on 27 April 2008, by Prime Minister and Premier , completing the paired tribute to the shared ANZAC legacy. Atop the bridge's pylons, the Australian flies from the eastern pylon (city end) and the New Zealand from the western pylon, a deliberate recognizing the historic partnership between the two nations' forces. These flags are illuminated at night, enhancing the bridge's visibility as a of remembrance. Dedication plaques inscribed with messages about ANZAC service and sacrifices are positioned at the bases of the statues and along the bridge, reinforcing its role as a public . For instance, the plaque near the renamed dedication reads: "ANZAC Bridge is dedicated to all Australians who have served in that cause," while the memorial plaque honors the joint efforts of both corps in and beyond. These elements collectively emphasize themes of alliance, reflection, and enduring tribute to .

Operations and Usage

Traffic Management

The Anzac Bridge serves as a critical component of Sydney's City West Link, forming part of the M4-M5 Link corridor that connects the M4 Western Motorway to the city center and facilitates high-volume east-west traffic flow across Johnstons Bay. Pre-COVID-19, the Western Distributor corridor, encompassing the bridge, supported an average daily traffic volume of approximately 136,000 vehicles, reflecting its role in managing substantial commuter and freight movement in inner western . By 2025, traffic estimates for the corridor have stabilized around 130,000–140,000 vehicles per day, influenced by post-pandemic recovery and integration with the nearby , though volumes remain below historical peaks observed in the early 2000s when the bridge approached its design capacity limits. The bridge's eight-lane configuration contributes to its high throughput, allowing efficient handling of peak-hour demands without frequent breakdowns in flow. In response to identified structural and safety challenges, the was reduced from 70 km/h to 60 km/h in January 2005, primarily to mitigate effects on the stay cables and deck, as well as to address broader operational risks on the cable-stayed structure. This adjustment has been maintained to ensure structural longevity and enhance driver safety amid heavy usage. Maintenance efforts for the Anzac Bridge emphasize proactive monitoring and upgrades to sustain its operational integrity. conducts regular inspections of the stay cables to assess tension, , and , with specialized non-destructive testing methods applied biennially or following events. Deck resurfacing has been undertaken periodically, including a major program in the early to repair asphalt wear and , preventing water ingress that could compromise the segments. No significant structural incidents or closures due to failure have been recorded through 2025, underscoring the effectiveness of these routines in a high-traffic environment. Although the bridge itself remains untolled, it integrates seamlessly with Sydney's electronic tolling network via the adjacent system, enabling coordinated revenue management and traffic diversion during peak periods. Variable electronic , including overhead gantries installed along the bridge and approaches, provides real-time updates on congestion, speed limits, and alternate routes, helping to distribute flows and reduce bottlenecks at interchanges like . These systems, upgraded in recent years, use data from CCTV and sensors to dynamically adjust messaging, supporting overall corridor efficiency without direct tolling on the structure.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Facilities

The Anzac Bridge features a 4-meter-wide shared and cycleway along its northern side, designed for both and cyclists. This facility, integrated into the bridge's 32.2-meter deck width, opened to the public in December 1995 alongside the main structure and has since served as a key non-vehicular crossing over Johnstons Bay. It is prominently utilized during the annual Seven Bridges Walk, a 28-kilometer event organized by Cancer Council NSW that crosses the bridge as one of its seven iconic spans. Safety provisions include protective barriers along the path to prevent falls and adequate to ensure during evening or low-light conditions, enhancing user security while traversing the elevated span. These features frame panoramic views of Harbour, Blackwattle Bay, and the city skyline, making the path a popular recreational and scenic route. The shared path integrates into broader local cycling networks, such as the City West Cycleway and connections via the , supporting commuter flows with approximately 1,500 weekday cyclists recorded on adjacent routes pre-2020, a figure that aligns with ongoing growth in Sydney's usage. As of 2025, it experiences occasional closures for maintenance works or special events, including commemorations and the Seven Bridges Walk, to manage crowds and ensure safety. Accessibility has been improved with ramps at the endpoints, including a spiral ramp on the Pyrmont side near Quarry Master Drive and Saunders Street, and connected pathways with inclusive grading on the approach via the Rozelle Parklands.

Cultural Significance

Naming and Symbolism

The term "Anzac" originates from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), a military formation established in late 1914 by combining Australian and troops in in preparation for the during . The was coined in early 1915 as a telegraphic by corps headquarters staff, first appearing officially on 24 April 1915, and it quickly became synonymous with the shared sacrifices and camaraderie of the soldiers from both nations. The Anzac Bridge received its name on 11 November 1998, during a renaming ceremony conducted by Premier on the 80th anniversary of , transforming the structure from its original designation as the Glebe Island Bridge into a lasting to the ANZAC legacy. This date aligned with traditions, emphasizing the bridge's role in honoring the memory of those who served and died in and subsequent conflicts. The bridge's naming embodies the profound symbolism of unity and mateship between and , forged through their joint , with elements such as the Australian flag on the eastern pylon and the New Zealand flag on the western pylon reinforcing this bond. Dual bronze statues—one depicting an Australian at the western end and a New Zealand at the eastern end—further manifest this symbolism, representing remembrance, shared nationhood, and enduring respect across the two countries. In broader public memory, the Anzac Bridge serves as a focal point for reflection on ANZAC sacrifices, contributing to annual commemorations such as special illuminations during Anzac Day observances that draw community attention to the site's memorial significance.

Representations in Media

The Anzac Bridge has appeared as a prominent backdrop in Australian cinema, notably in the 1999 film Looking for Alibrandi, where it features in key scenes depicting Sydney's urban landscape, including a memorable motorbike ride across the bridge by protagonists Josie Alibrandi and Jacob Coote. In music, the bridge gained early prominence through its inclusion in Deni Hines' 1995 music video for “It’s Alright,” which showcases group dance sequences filmed on the nearly completed structure shortly before its opening, highlighting its fresh architectural presence. Similarly, the band You Am I referenced the bridge—then known as the Glebe Island Bridge—in the opening lyrics of their 1995 song “Purple Sneakers” from the album Hi Fi Way, evoking its under-construction state with the line “Had a scratch only you could itch, underneath the Glebe Point bridge,” capturing the era's local cultural zeitgeist. The bridge's construction in the inspired significant photographic documentation by Australian artist David Moore, who captured its three-year build in a comprehensive series of images, from foundational work to completion, emphasizing the engineering spectacle amid public debate. These works, exhibited and auctioned in later years, underscore the bridge's artistic appeal. In media, the bridge is routinely portrayed as an iconic landmark, with its distinctive pylon design often highlighted in promotional imagery for its photogenic views of the harbor and city skyline. In the , the bridge has maintained high visibility in media coverage of milestone events, including its 25th in 2020, which prompted retrospective articles on its role in Sydney's . As it approaches its 30th in December 2025,

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.