1971: When Pyrmont Bridge faced demolition

The Pyrmont Bridge has evolved as Sydney has grown and changed. For decades it served as a major arterial connecting western Sydney with the Sydney CBD. The Western Distributor may have made the bridge redundant, but was reborn into a pedestrian walkway with the redevelopment of Darling Harbour.

But half a century ago, Sydney was facing the possiblity of losing it forever, and the lost opportunities that went with it.

In 1971, the first stage of Western Distributor from the Harbour Bridge Tollgates to Day Street was under construction while plans to extend the freeway from Darling Harbour to Glebe were underway. 

The freeway would render the Pyrmont Bridge redundant and would be demolished, when the expressway was in full operation by 1978.

Source: Anon. 1971. "Pyrmont to lose bridge". The Daily Telegraph, June 3: 22. 

In 1980, the westbound viaduct from Day Street to Harris Street was completed. The Pyrmont Bridge was reconfigured to permit eastbound traffic. When the eastbound viaduct from Pyrmont Street to Day Street was opened the following year, the bridge was closed to all traffic.

 

Source: Name obsecured. 1981. "Pyrmont Bridge closing, but future open to suggestions. The Sydney Morning Herald, July 24: 9. 

With Darling Harbour set to be redeveloped, the bridge was still threatened with demolition. It was reported that the bridge was hindering redevelopment opportunites, while the argument to retain the bridge gained momentum.

Sydneysiders protested against plans to demolish the bridge and the NSW Government investigated alternative schemes. In 1983, it was suggested that the bridge be converted into a pedestrian walkway connecting Pyrmont with Market Street with shops and restaurants. The previous year, there was a proposal just to retain the ends and relocate the swinging span.

Source: Coultan, M. 1983. "Bridge may get the Florence touch". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 9: 3. 

Some pushed for what became what it is now a pedestrian and cycleway only. 

When redevelopment plans for Darling Harbour were released in 1984, it's future would be secured. It became the pedestrian and cycleway that the public longed for. From 1988 until 2013, it carried the monorail.