SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 488, 18 October 1928, Page 15

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

GREAT CABLES BEING PREPARED WILL CARRY 16,000 TONS The first of the 12S steel cables which will support the southern half of the arch of the Sydney Harbour bridge during its construction has recently been placed In position, ready to be attached to the two end posts. These posts will rest on the giant bearings at the has® of the pylon at Dawes Point, and a commencement was made early this month with their erection. From then on the cables will take an increasing strain, until, just before the two halves of the arch meet, they will support the 16,000 tons weight of the southern half. When this stage is reached each of the cables will be supporting a load of 125 tons. To support during construction the tremendous weight of the sections of the arch overhanging the water the stout steel cables will be fastened to the end posts, and led through guiding "saddles,” situated about 400 ft back from each pylon, to an anchorage in the rock, 120 ft below the surface.. The tunnels through which the mass of cables will pass to the anchorage slope downward at an angle of about 45 degrees, and are connected at their deepest point by a tunnel driven horizontally, one face of which has been covered with concrete and corrugated steel sheeting to provide a bearing surface for the cables. The cables are each 2 7-8 inches in diameter. Hydraulic jacks will be employed to equalise the tension on them.