Rusty Harbour Bridge becoming an eyesore

The Sydney Harbour Bridge has seen better days with large unsightly patches of rust covering the structure, that can easily be seen when travelling over the landmark. 

The Bridge, a major transportation channel that carries around 160,000 vehicles and 480 trains per day, has sparked debate about the tourist attraction’s charm to sightseers.

Tourists and locals have weighed in on the Coathanger’s neglected appearance, ahead of a major maintenance programme.

“That’s bad,” 26-year-old local Angus told Central News, while waiting for a friend at Circular Quay. “I don’t know if it’s because it’s hard to get to but they should do something to fix it.

“As a Sydneysider, I would like to hear more information about what’s happening with the Bridge. I feel like we don’t hear about it.”

Sak, a 16-year old tourist from Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, said he thought the rust needed to be dealt with soon.

“I don’t think it looks that bad at the moment but in the future it could get worse,” he said.

Transport for NSW last week announced an eight-year maintenance plan for the Bridge ahead of its 100th year anniversary on March 19, 2032.

 

Temporary scaffolding will be erected for an additional 12 painters on top of those currently employed, with around half already recruited.

“The scaffolding going up sets the stage for the biggest maintenance blitz our Bridge has seen in decades,” said Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray. 

“Condition reports tell us the Bridge is slowly improving, which is why we’ve devised this highly specialised, accelerated program of work to ensure we stay on that upward trend.” 

Despite necessary lane closures, Transport for NSW has assured Sydneysiders that the installation of the scaffolding will be done during the night to minimise traffic and other disruptions. 

This will be in conjunction with ongoing roadworks for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade that are expected to finish late next year and open in 2028. 

The annual maintenance budget for the Bridge is $19.6 million, with a large portion of the money coming from tolls. 

 

The Harbour Bridge toll rose 6.8 per cent in October 2023, with peak hour travel now costing $4.27 one way.

Murray said the maintenance budget will grow to $30 million per annum by the Bridge’s centenary. 

One of the painters who worked on the Bridge in the 1990s, Sean Roache, is joining the crew, which is expected to commence work this year. 

“You’re not painting a house here,” said Roache. “It’s a really tough job that takes a specific technique, tools, four coats of paint – all while you’re in tight spaces, battling the elements.

“There are roughly 485,000 square metres of steel making up the Bridge that has to be coated with 175,000 litres of paint, in multiple coats.”

 

However, not everyone thinks the Bridge’s rust problem is a cause for concern. 

Jonty, 30, visiting Sydney from Brisbane, said the corrosion was only natural.

“It’s metal. It’s just that type of material,” he said. “We’ve got bridges back in Brisbane that are the same.”

Some of the laterals on the Bridge have not been painted since the 1990s, with the lack of conservation attributed to “highly complex, intricate work” that is required to paint over one of the city’s busiest roads. 

 

The government is exploring new technologies to accelerate the process in combination with traditional methods to guarantee a safer work environment for the painters.

“This new scaffolding stretches across parts of the top arch laterals. It’s the first time we’ve had this type of suspended platform to work off,” said Roache.

“Safety and environmental rules have changed for the better so we can get in and do this essential work.”

When contacted, Transport for NSW declined to comment on the current state of the bridge.

Main image by Orlando Sagar.