A very close look at the Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp

Bicycle NSW and Bike North on top of the ramp (From left: David Thomson, Bike North President, Ali Macleod, Bicycle NSW Digital Content, Carolyn New, Bike North Advocacy Convenor, Sarah Bickford, Bicycle NSW Bike Planner, Peter McLean, Bicycle NSW CEO, Tony Stanley, Bike North Advocacy Co-ordinator, and Yvonne Poon, Bicycle NSW Membership Coordinator) (Image: Bicycle NSW)

It was very exciting to see the plans come to reality!

Although we have tracked the construction from outside the compound – and documented progress through a photographic timeline - there is nothing like standing on the intricate Aboriginal paving design and touching the beautiful handrails. 

It was a great moment to reflect on how far this hard-fought project has come.

The ramp is not just a price of critical infrastructure. It is also an artwork befitting of the grand dame of this beautiful city, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Thanks to staff from contractor Arenco and Transport for NSW for the tour.

A gentle climb to the top

The 3.1m wide ramp has a gradient of between 1.5 and 5%, levelling out before it curves away from the heritage entrance of Milsons Point Station (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Carolyn and Peter pause near the top to take in the view (Image: Bicycle NSW)

An e-bike rider tackles the infamous Burton Street Stairs. Although inaccessible for many bike riders, the 55 steps have heritage significance and will be retained for those who want to use them (Image: Bicycle NSW)

The incredible paving is nearly complete

As discussed in Final designs for the Harbour Bridge ramp, an artwork by Aboriginal artists Maddison Gibbs and Jason Wing has been incorporated into the paving design on the surface of the ramp. 

Two intertwining eels reflect the physical and spiritual connection between the Gadigal and Cammeraygal. It’s a striking symbol of Aboriginal art (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Five different types of granite have been laid by hand to create the design, including the same Moruya granite used for the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons (Image: Bicycle NSW)

The small granite pieces have been laid with great precision to ensure a smooth surface for cycling on (Image: Bicycle NSW)

The sculptural balustrading is another highlight

The installation of 1,500 hefty cast bronze balustrades is underway. The designers and contractors have worked so hard to deliver a very beautiful solution to a practical requirement. To learn more about the huge team effort, check out this fantastic recent coverage from 7NEWS Sydney.

Transport for NSW Deputy Project Manager Joanna Lesak discusses how the balustrade will match the bronze use for the details of the Sydney Opera House bronze, bringing together two iconic Sydney landmarks (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Gaps in the balustrading will soon be filled by a slightly different balustrade component that accommodates the bumprail posts. The bumprails will have integral LED lighting that gently illuminates the ramp without glare (Image: Bicycle NSW)

The heritage wall of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the perfect backdrop for an ever-changing play of light and shade cast by the balustrades (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Back to the ground

Bicycle NSW and Bike North enjoyed previously unseen views of the landing area and the underside the ramp from the other side of the site barricades!

The elegant curves continue right to the point where the prefabricated ramp connects to the existing cycleway (Image: Bicycle NSW)

The steel structure is same colour as the Sydney Harbour Bridge – another nod to its heritage (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Bicycle NSW and Bike North under the ramp as it slinks up and away towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Image: Bicycle NSW)

The landing area is wonderfully shady. The project team took enormous care to minimise tree removal (Image: Bicycle NSW)

The 8.5m section of heritage Sydney Harbour Bridge concrete parapet, removed where the new ramp connects to the existing cycleway, has been relocated to the landing area where it is being incorporated into the landscaping (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Getting ready to celebrate!

The ramp will open this summer. As soon as we know the date we will let everyone know. 

Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean has the champagne waiting on ice! (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Missing links remain a huge concern

Bicycle NSW thanks the NSW Government for investing a wonderful design to for an accessible ramp to the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway. It is an iconic piece of engineering that will attract visitors from all over the world as well as new commuters.

The separation of people walking and cycling will continue all the way to Lavender Street with dedicated bicycle paths and raised crossings.

Unfortunately, it will still be very difficult to cycle north through North Sydney to reach Crows Nest, Neutral Bay, Cammeray and the Gore Hill cycleway.

As Bicycle NSW has discussed in numerous articles and submissions, it is major failure of planning and policy that the Warringah Freeway Upgrade project had dodged delivering upgrades to the active transport network that residents and commuters have advocated for over three decades.

A safe cycleway between to West St is an urgent priority. The recent reconfiguration of the Pacific Highway offers a chink of possibility to widen the path between the Arthur St tunnel and Blue Street. 

We have written letters to the Roads and Transport ministers and await an official response. 

And hopefully some action before it is too late!

Before you cross the harbour…

Bicycle NSW has been campaigning for a better environment for bike riding for almost 50 years. It is the only bicycle advocacy group based in NSW with full time staff advocating every day for all riders. But did you know that we are funded only by membership fees and donations?

Please join Bicycle NSW and support our advocacy for better infrastructure and safer streets. You will also ride easy, covered by our comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.