Transport’s History: Historic Assets Library

The Digitisation Project is sharing Transport’s history through the Historic Assets Library, making discoverable a diverse archive of photographs.

The online collection is continuously growing so register for updates and to search the latest.  

About the library

Comprising thousands of images taken across New South Wales showcasing initiatives, infrastructure and updates to many of Transport’s most iconic assets, including bridges, road networks, railways, wharves and the people at the forefront of these projects. These document the planning, construction and major upgrades to road systems; construction and completion of transport projects including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Gladesville Bridge, Anzac Bridge, Harbour Tunnel, Cross City Tunnel and Norfolk Island Aerodrome built 1942-43.

Collections feature photographs of Department buildings and specialist teams in technology and science; developments in planning, maintenance and plant used by workers on the job; aerial photographs, roadsides, traffic, tolls, waterways, ferries, State Forests, life in the outback, official openings and campaigns.
 
Spanning almost 100 years, the archive was created by photographers employed by the Department of Main Roads (1932-1989) and Roads and Traffic Authority (1989-2011) and Roads and Maritime Services (2011-2019). Their photographs encapsulate the history of the State, providing insight into the development of urban and regional landscapes, as well as how these are used by commuters. 
 
The project is operated by a specialised team of collection professionals managing physical objects and digital assets then providing access via the public facing Historic Assets Library.