Which Australian bridge, opened in 1932, is the world’s largest steel arch bridge?

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932, is the world’s largest steel arch bridge.

The bridge crosses Sydney Harbour between the central business district and the North Shore. Its single steel arch spans about 503 metres, while the bridge’s summit stands about 134 metres above the water. The design accommodates road traffic, rail tracks, pedestrian paths and a cycleway.

Construction began in 1924 and took eight years. The bridge was officially opened on March 19, 1932, by New South Wales Premier John T. Lang. It became a crucial transport link because the harbour had previously divided Sydney’s northern suburbs from the city centre.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is sometimes mistakenly called a suspension bridge because of its huge curved outline, but its main structure is a steel through arch. The nearby Sydney Opera House is a separate landmark on the harbour and opened decades later, in 1973.