Celebrations are under way in Sydney to mark the 75th anniversary of the opening of the iconic Harbour Bridge.
Celebrations are under way in Sydney to mark the 75th anniversary of the opening of the iconic Harbour Bridge.
The structure, which took nine years to build, was declared open for traffic in March 1932 and remains to this day the world's largest steel arch bridge.
The structure, which took nine years to build, was declared open for traffic in March 1932 and remains to this day the world's largest steel arch bridge.
More than 200,000 people are taking the rare opportunity to walk across a structure normally filled with traffic.
More than 200,000 people are taking the rare opportunity to walk across a structure normally filled with traffic.
The bridge, known affectionately as the Coathanger, has 6m rivets in its 52,000 tonnes of steel.
The bridge, known affectionately as the Coathanger, has 6m rivets in its 52,000 tonnes of steel.
Youngest walker
Youngest walker
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says that never before has the bridge been closed to vehicles for so long - a move intended to give as many Sydneysiders as possible the chance to cross.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says that never before has the bridge been closed to vehicles for so long - a move intended to give as many Sydneysiders as possible the chance to cross.
A blast of a didgeridoo marked the start of the celebrations, which include fly-pasts, a regatta and Aboriginal sunset ceremonies.
A blast of a didgeridoo marked the start of the celebrations, which include fly-pasts, a regatta and Aboriginal sunset ceremonies.
The bridge saw fireworks at the Millennium - but not this time
The bridge saw fireworks at the Millennium - but not this time
However there will be no fireworks, our correspondent says, as the organisers do not want to distract from the magnificence of the bridge.
However there will be no fireworks, our correspondent says, as the organisers do not want to distract from the magnificence of the bridge.
The celebrations also had a moment of commemoration - a plaque being unveiled to honour the 16 workers who died during its construction.
The celebrations also had a moment of commemoration - a plaque being unveiled to honour the 16 workers who died during its construction.
One walker on Sunday was Bruce Boddington, who at four was the youngest person to walk the bridge on its opening day.
One walker on Sunday was Bruce Boddington, who at four was the youngest person to walk the bridge on its opening day.
He told Reuters news agency: "It's wonderful, seeing the crowd. They've all got happy looks on their faces."
He told Reuters news agency: "It's wonderful, seeing the crowd. They've all got happy looks on their faces."
The bridge was finished in the Great Depression and was sometimes called the iron lung because it helped breathe life into a city and country experiencing terrible economic hardship.
The bridge was finished in the Great Depression and was sometimes called the iron lung because it helped breathe life into a city and country experiencing terrible economic hardship.
The design of the bridge still arouses debate - both Australian engineer John Bradfield, who oversaw the project, and British consultant engineer, Ralph Freeman, are cited. Both are on the opening plaque.
The design of the bridge still arouses debate - both Australian engineer John Bradfield, who oversaw the project, and British consultant engineer, Ralph Freeman, are cited. Both are on the opening plaque.
Have you been attending the celebrations in Sydney? What doesthe Harbour Bridge mean to you personally? Send us your comments using the form below.
