
Gladesville Bridge
The Gladesville Bridge was opened on 2 October 1964. Along with Tarban Creek Bridge and Fig Tree Bridge, it was originally planned by the NSW Department of Main Roads (DMR) to form part of a north-western expressway serving the northern suburbs of Sydney.
Whilst the expressway was never built, the Gladesville Bridge, at the time of construction, was the longest concrete arch bridge in the world. It is an engineering feat and a testament to the commitment of all those involved.
The major output of this project was over 20 hours of recorded interviews with people who experienced or were involved with the construction of the Gladesville Bridge. Some were local residents or school children while others were employed on the project in varying capacities including engineering, surveying, filming, labouring, plant operation and worksite supervision.
The sound files in the table below feature some of the key themes uncovered during the course of the project including the old Gladesville Bridge, the planning vision, bridge design, the construction process and the opening of the bridge.
The opinions expressed in the oral history interview tapes are those of the individuals concerned and do not necessarily represent in whole or in part the position of Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
Construction of the Gladesville Bridge whole sound file (MP3)
Construction of the Gladesville Bridge - Sound file (MP3, 75.85 MB)
Construction of the Gladesville Bridge individual sound files (MP3)
Individual sound files - MP3
Part 1 - Early history/The old Gladesville Bridge (MP3, 5.29 MB)
Part 2 - The DMR's road network vision/The DMR as an organisation (MP3, 4.6 MB)
Part 3 - Design, planning and structural analysis of the new bridge (MP3, 8.02 MB)
Part 4 - Demolition and excavation/Effect on adjoining suburbs (MP3, 2.81 MB)
Part 5 - The workforce: labourers, crane drivers and dogmen (MP3, 3.91 MB)
Part 6 - Surveying the bridge/Pile driving/The Titan crane (MP3, 4.97 MB)
Part 7 - Casting of the box units/Concrete testing laboratory (MP3, 4.5 MB)
Part 8 - The fog room/Concrete test cylinder 'failure' (MP3, 1.99 MB)
Part 9 - Concrete problems solved/The making of the film/Site safety (MP3, 6.39 MB)
Part 10 - Workplace and construction accidents/Tanker collision (MP3, 4.99 MB)
Part 11 - Jacking the arch (MP3, 6.77 MB)
Part 13 - The Bridge Opening (MP3, 3.88 MB)
Part 14 - Adding an extra lane/Concrete creep (MP3, 2.64 MB)
Part 16 - Accidents/Wind/Significance of the bridge/Final observations (MP3, 5.85 MB)
Summary reportÂ
Construction of the Gladesville Bridge summary report (PDF, 19.65 MB)