Gladesville Bridge

Sweeping concrete arch over the Parramatta River — the world''s longest concrete arch span when completed in 1964

About six kilometres upstream from the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Gladesville Bridge spans the Parramatta River with a clear span of 305 metres — exactly 1,000 feet. When it opened in 1964, it was the longest concrete arch bridge in the world, a record it held until the completion of Croatia''s Krk Bridge in 1980. The bridge is a masterpiece of engineering: the arch rises 41 metres above the waterline and was built from five precast hollow box segments assembled on site. Designed by G. Maunsell & Partners, the project took four years to complete. For most Sydneysiders it is an unremarkable part of the daily commute, but for engineers and architecture enthusiasts it is a landmark of world significance. The best views of the arch are from the water or from the foreshore paths at Drummoyne and Gladesville.