<P> Under the direction of Dr John Bradfield of the NSW Department of Public Works , the bridge was designed and built by British firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd of Middlesbrough and opened in 1932 . The bridge 's design was influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York City . It is the sixth longest spanning - arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge , measuring 134 m ( 440 ft ) from top to water level . It was also the world 's widest long - span bridge , at 48.8 m ( 160 ft ) wide , until construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver was completed in 2012 . </P>
<P> Under the direction of Dr John Bradfield of the NSW Department of Public Works , the bridge was designed and built by British firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd of Middlesbrough and opened in 1932 . The bridge 's design was influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York City . It is the sixth longest spanning - arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge , measuring 134 m ( 440 ft ) from top to water level . It was also the world 's widest long - span bridge , at 48.8 m ( 160 ft ) wide , until construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver was completed in 2012 . </P>
when did they build the sydney harbour bridge
when did they build the sydney harbour bridge
1932
1932