Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said a million people walked across to open the iconic infrastructure 90 years ago. “In the depression era it provided vital jobs in NSW, it joined two lands together and provided that vital artery that we need and that we have seen so well used ever since. She has worked tirelessly for us every single day.”
Minister for Environment and Heritage James Griffin said: “Happy 90th birthday to the wonderful, beautiful, iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. When people around the world think of Sydney they think of Sydney Harbour and its iconic bridge. It is part of the cultural identity and fabric of Sydney. You think of Sydney; you think of its bridge.”
Elizabeth Hirschl’s father was a crane driver who helped to build the bridge.Credit:Bianca De Marchi
NSW MP for North Shore Felicity Wilson said the bridge had transformed the way the local community interacted with the rest of Sydney. “Every single day it has an impact on the way we live our lives today in Sydney. It is something Sydneysiders are so proud of. She’s our bridge, it is her birthday and we are excited to join her in celebrating.
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said he wanted to say thank you to all the men and women who work on the bridge today. “Without them, my riggers, my painters, the security guys … because every day they do something amazing. The smiles on peoples faces as we went over the bridge were fantastic.”
He said he was doing all he could to see that the Aboriginal flag would soon being permanently flying on the bridge, an announcement made last month.
Offering some “fun facts” he said the bridge had 6 million rivets, carried 60,000 vehicles a day and a train every three minutes. “Do you realise that this bridge grows about 14 centimetres in height on a hot day?,” he said. “We continually paint it, but probably not today because it is raining. With the team I have got behind me we will see another 90 years as well.”
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Mr Collins was asked, given recent industrial action, if he could guarantee the trains would run on Monday, he said: “They are going to run on Monday.”
“We have the opportunity in the next sit around the table with the unions, with the senior management team, and I will be there supporting that to have some real understanding of what we need to do to get this industrial action off the table for good.
“As far as I am concerned, I understand that everything will be OK for a normal Monday to Friday service.”
Harbour Bridge’s 90th birthday celebrated by relatives of those who built it
Source: Philippines Alive
