SOME STATISTICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 178, 21 March 1932, Page 6

SOME STATISTICS

FIRST SUGGESTED OVER ONE IIUNDRED YEARS AGO UNIQUE LIGHTING SYSTEM The history of the great bi'idge which now spans Sydney's magnificent harbour shows that it was first suggested by Mr. F. H. Greenway in 1815; designs and tenders first called, January, 1900; special Public Works inqniry, 1911; enahling legislation introduced 1916; enabling legislation passed, November, 1922; tender accepted, March 24, 1924; foundation stone laid, March 26, 1925; arch joined, August 30, 1930; official opening, March 19, 1932. The measurements of the bridge are: — Total length, 3,770 feet; length of main span between bearings, 1,650 jfeet; width of declc, 160 feet; heig-ht of arch, 437 feet; clearance for shipping, 172 feet 6 inches; weight of steel, 51,000 tons. The lighting is provided by special -efractors, which will distribute light in a unique and scientific manner. Rail and tramway traction, as "well as motor and passenger traffic, will be ut'lising the bridge and whilst the latter needs brilliance, no one of the others may be distracted by the glare. A refractor of one-piece glass, with urisms so arranged that the light will be directed on the road area only, has been provided, there being a definite cut off at the back so that no light can be shed on the rail and tram tracks. Also the refractors control the light in such a way that there will be a definite anti-glare cut off so far as motor traffic is concerned, there being just enough spill light to illuminate the decorated panels of the upper part of each lantern and also the glass eanopy which forms the top of the lantern. One hundred and 57 of these refractor units are mounted in the bridge lanterns on

eithcr side of the approach roadways, and also the main span roadway. Bemg only single glass, there is prrc+icahv no maintenance cost with ti.is English-made refractor. The illumination of the bridge is not only a matter of util'ty — it is a thinc; of beauty. Sydney Hai'bour hy night, with its floating fairylands of l'ght. has ever been one of the world's most delightful spectacl:s. Now is added a blaze of brilliance — "The Bridge of Power and Light."