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.
Your comments
We walked the bridge just as the 747 came over - fantastic!Kelly and Kevin, Chelmsford, Essex
My mother-in-law walked across opening day in '32 as a young girl.....we were downtown today staying in a nearby hotel and saw all the people flooding into the area.....the bridge was closed for around 12hrs which is un-heard of....there was, somewhat, an eerie quiet downtown SYD.....brought about, of course, by closing ----- that rather large steel single-span structure!!Michael Murray, Ettalong Beach, Australia..
The Sydney bridge was a kit made in North East England and only assembled in Australia. It is Tyneside technology. You wouldn't give you kid brother the credit for building a ship when he only assembled an airfix model would you? Chris Rea's song "From Sydney harbour to the Frisco bay" summarises the work done by the lads in the North East of England.Davy, Ronda, Spain
My father was named after the city because the bridge was completed in the year he was born - 1931. His grandparents were living near the city at the time. Sydney died in 2006, aged 75.Stuart Woodward, Colchester, UK
In January 2000, my son Michael was married on a Sydney Harbour Ferry, the Charlotte, directly underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I believe this was the first wedding of the New Century under the bridge. Obviously a happy time and full of unique memories. Best wishes Beryle Ash (Mrs)Beryle ash, Abu Dhabi, UAE
This is my first experience on the Bridge. I am from India and is here as a student. Great experience to walk on this historical Bridge.Venugopal Kannan Meenakshisundaram, Sydney
Have you been attending the celebrations in Sydney? What does the Harbour Bridge mean to you personally? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been attending the celebrations in Sydney? What does the Harbour Bridge mean to you personally? Send us your comments using the form below.
