MILESTONE: ANZAC Bridge turns 25 (1995-2020): Conception & Construction

Last week, I published an entry relating to the opening of the ANZAC Bridge (originally known as the Glebe Island Bridge) in 1995.

This week, I will share clippings associated with its conception and construction.

Plans for a new Glebe Island Bridge to replace the original Glebe Island Bridge (1903) were unveiled in 1988. It's design was immediately compared to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was intended that work would commence the following year (1989) with completion slated for 1993.

Source: Grimshaw, P. 1988. "'Golden Gate' to span Harbor". The Daily Telegraph, September 22: page unknown.

Formal approval was given in 1990. The completion date had moved back one year to 1994 with an estimated cost of $160 million for construction.

Source: Barbeliuk, A. 1990. "Golden Gate for Sydney". The Daily Telegraph, February 2: 15. 

In 1992, there was controversy over the height of the span and that it did not need to be high.

Source: Koch, P. 1992. "Uh oh, a bridge too high". The Sunday Telegraph, October 18: 7.

Sydney City Council decided to take legal action against the Roads and Traffic Authority because of its visual impact. 25 years later and any visual impact tends to be positive!!!

Source: Cook, C. 1992. "Council's legal action may thwart Glebe bridge". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 11: 5.

Below are assorted feature reports on the construction of the bridge, mostly focusing on the spans meeting in the middle in June 1995.

September 1993

Source: Bishop, K. 1993. "Motorists get room to view Glebe Is bridge". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 16: 6.

June 1994

Source: Woodford, J. 1994. "Bridging the gap to international fame". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 25:5. 

December 1994

Source: Brennan, W. 1994. "Span a hit with visitors". The Sunday Telegraph, December 11:23. 

June 1995 - The spans meet

Source. Anon. 1995. "Together at last - our new bridge". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, June 20:1. 

Source: Keogh, K. 1995. "Landmark to make ends meet". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, June 7:23.

Source: Bekoff, K. 1995. "Bridging the gap". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, June 21: 9.

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1989: Vision for the Pyrmont Peninsula

As you can see, I enjoy sharing visions for Sydney and this one focuses on a 1989 clipping from The Sunday Telegraph where a vision for the Pyrmont Peninsula and the Bays Precinct is featured.

Source: Flamstead, K. 1989. "An emerald vision for an eyesore". The Sunday Telegraph, March 19: 155.

Some points of interest:

• The "Golden Gate" style bridge became a reality - ANZAC Bridge which was opened in 1995.
• The City West Link made it as far as Lilyfield but Westconnex will now link the road with the M4 Motorway at Concord.
• The White Bay intersection became a reality.
• Residential Development has ended up being predominantly midrise with some highrises permitted. Some of the area has since become public land.  
• Proposed tourist developments never eventuated at Darling Island with office and apartment buildings built.
• The old goods line became a light rail line in 1997. It initially went to Glebe, was extended to Lilyfield (2000) and then in 2014 to Dulwich Hill. 
• There is no direct identification of which Grain Terminal (Pyrmont or Glebe Island) was going to be replaced with terrace typed housing. At Pyrmont, Apartment blocks were built and incorporated a public park. At Glebe Island, the silos are heritage listed.
• Blackwattle Bay did get a marina which is home to Sydney's Super Yachts.

Planning is underway on the Bays Precinct which will focus on the redevelopment of the former Port at Glebe Island and the Sydney Fish Markets.