North Sydney Heritage Leaflet 13 SUSPENSION BRIDGE The Suspension Bridge (now Cammeray Bridge) over Long Bay gully was completed in January as one of Sydney’s engineering wonders. The North Sydney Investment & Tramway Company was initiated in 1887 by Andrew Armstrong, an interested landowner, and James Alexander Brown to provide tramway access to the Middle Harbour peninsulas. The company planned a tramway from the St Leonards Government tramway in Miller Street near Ridge Street, across the suspension bridge to what is now Castle Cove. A branch line was planned into the Castlecrag Peninsula, terminating near the present 203 bus terminus. During the land boom of the 1880s, the land was sold and resold, and much of it belonged to the North Sydney Investment and Tramway Company or the North Shore and Middle Harbour Land Company. They planned a tramway and a bridge across Long Bay gully to open up the area for sales of residential land. The Cammeray Bridge (then called the Suspension Bridge) was completed and opened to traffic in January 1892 and soon became a great tourist attraction. Both companies, however, went into liquidation shortly after – victims of the 1890s depression. The Bridge's engineers, W H Warren and J E F Coyle, chose an ornate suspension structure which was the largest of its type in Australia at the time and the fourth largest in the world. It was designed by New Zealand architect D.Ross It took two years and nine months to complete and cost £42,000. The Bridge comprised three spans for a total length of 1010 feet, with ironbark decking, steelwork imported from Clyde, Scotland and cables from Warwick in England. Stone was delivered by punt up from Middle Harbour. A toll of three pence return for adults and one penny for children was charged. Slow land sales in the 1890s meant that the planned tramway was not built In 1912 the Bridge was handed over to the Government as a gift on the condition that a tramway be extended to the north side and no toll charged. The tramway was extended to the area north of the bridge in 1914. The terminus was in Sailors Bay Road near the public school. Taken over by the Department of Main Roads in 1935 it was considered unsafe by 1937 and was closed to all traffic. It was reconstructed as a concrete arch bridge. The distinctive stone towers were retained and it opened again in 1939. Tramlines were extended across the bridge in 1913. It was taken over by the Department of Main Roads in 1925 and was found to be in a weakened state. The bridge was reconstructed as a reinforced concrete arch with the sandstone towers retained as portals and reopened on 9 September 1939. The picturesque bridge has been variously referred to as the: Cammeray Bridge Long Gully Bridge North Sydney Suspension Bridge Suspension Bridge, Cammeray Suspension Bridge, Northbridge Suspension Bridge, North Sydney Most commonly it has been called simply ‘The Suspension Bridge’ Despite alterations, and no doubt because of the retention of the towers, the Bridge has become a much-loved landmark. The Rotary Club of Northbridge organized a celebration Bridge's 100th Birthday on October 17, 1992 In 2008 the roads and Traffic Authority, which had responsibility for the Bridge, aired plans to fence the side of the Bridge in an attempt to forestall suicide jumps. The proposal was opposed by local residents and the Council’s of Willoughby and North Sydney because the fencing was thought to disfigure the structure. The fence went ahead in 2011. Significant dates 1880s North Sydney Tramway and Development Company formed to sell land and develop area north of Flat Rock Creek. 1889/90 Construction underway. 1890s The Company goes into liquidation and the Bridge was completed by the liquidators, the North Sydney Investment and Tramway Company Ltd. 1892 The Suspension Bridge opened with much acclaim becoming an instant tourist attraction featured on postcards and in many glossy publications of the day. Initially the Bridge operated as a footbridge only with a toll charge of three pence return for adults and one penny for children. 1909 Tramway line constructed to the Bridge opened in May 1909. This line assisted the development of the area which commonly became known as ‘Suspension Bridge’. 1912 The New South Wales Government took over ownership of the Bridge following the collapse of the Tramway Company. 1914 Tramway extended over the Bridge and opened to tramway traffic in February 1914. 1935/36 Department of Main Roads took control of the Bridge and discovers serious faults in the steel-work and cables. Bridge is closed to all vehicle traffic at this time. Major repair work commences replacing the suspension structure with a reinforced concrete arch. Although the name of "Cammeray Bridge" was attached to the newly restored Bridge, the popular name of "Suspension Bridge" survives to the present day. Cammeray became the name of the area surrounding the Bridge during the 1920s. The name is in honour of the "Cammeraygal" Aboriginal tribe, the former inhabitants of this area of North Sydney. 1939 The new Bridge officially reopened in September 1939. Tram services ceased at this time. 1941 Tram services to Vale Street Cammeray restored due to wartime rationing. 1948 Last tram from Wynyard Station. 1982 Department of Main Roads and Willoughby Council installed new high-pressure sodium lamps to light up the Bridge. 1988 The Bridge is honoured with a commemorative plaque along with 50 other historic bridges in New South Wales as part of the Bicentennial celebrations. 1992 Rotary Club of Northbridge celebrates the Bridge's Centenary in October, 1992. 2011 Safety rails added amidst public controversy. North Sydney Heritage Centre 1st Floor Stanton Library 234 Miller Street North Sydney NSW 2060 Phone: 02 99368400 Fax: 02 99368440 Email:[email protected] www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au .