The two halves of the arch approach each other over the harbour, circa early 1930.

7 August 1929: On either side of the Sydney harbour, a creeper crane inches forward, building the steel arch ahead of it, piece by piece.

19 September 1929: A barge on the harbour floats a large girder into position for the crane above to lift up and fix into place.

On a misty day in 1930, high over the ships in the harbour, the two halves of the Harbour Bridge are almost ready to be joined.

August 1930: Architects of the Bridge pose on top of the arch as its two halves are finally joined.

Once the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was complete, work began on laying the road deck, from the centre outwards.

Each hanger for the road deck is lifted into place with a crane-mounted cradle.

13 May 1931: A yacht passes in front of the Harbour Bridge as the road deck is being constructed.

Chief Justice of Sydney Sir William Cullen, his daughter, and chief engineer Dr John J. C. Bradfield, stand on the nearly completed roadway of the Harbour Bridge.

March 1932: A poster made for the Bridge Celebrations Committee to advertise the opening carnival for the newly constructed Sydney Harbour Bridge. The original colour scheme was red, blue and yellow and the text reads: ‘Australia Is Calling – Sunshine – Happiness – Opportunity – Sydney Bridge Celebrations – March 1932’.

19 March 1932: Captain Francis de Groot is dragged from his horse by policemen after crashing the opening ceremony of the Harbour Bridge.

19 March 1932: Crowds cross the newly opened Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The completed Sydney Harbour Bridge, circa 1936.