Cammeraygal
New South Wales
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp delivers a long-awaited, step-free link between the central city and North Sydney. The 170-metre ramp, Â removes a major barrier at Bradfield Park, where cyclists previously had to negotiate 55 steps. Carefully integrated into Bradfield Park and the Milsons Point Station forecourt, the ramp preserves openness, sightlines, and pedestrian movement while respecting the heritage of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Developed in close collaboration with Heritage NSW and Indigenous stakeholders, the design combines advanced engineering with traditional craft. A continuous bronze balustrade, patinated to complement the bridge’s industrial character, runs along the cycleway, while a relocated section of the original 1932 parapet marks its start. First Nations cultural heritage is acknowledged through public artwork and interpretive plaques, telling the stories of Country and the bridge’s history. The cycleway is a landmark addition to Sydney’s living heritage, enhancing accessibility, safety, and cultural connection across the harbour.
Award for Heritage – Adaptive Reuse
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is valued across the country and beyond. Its civic and symbolic importance explains the years of debate around placing a new cycleway beside such a significant 1930s structure.
The success of this project lies in the confidence and restraint of its resolution. Rather than compete with the Bridge, the cycleway sits alongside it as a finely calibrated contemporary addition. Its sinuous curve, elegant structure and carefully tested geometry allow the historic station entry, lettering and architectural details to remain legible and primary.
The material language is exceptionally well judged. Bronze handrails and soffits bring warmth and dignity, while the ribbed, tapered concrete columns have an almost classical quality, beautifully spaced and proportioned.
The project is both infrastructure and civic. It improves access and movement while acknowledging the layered histories of the place, including Indigenous histories embedded in the landscape. It is a graceful addition to one of Australia’s most important landmarks.
Award for Heritage – Adaptive Reuse
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is valued across the country and beyond. Its civic and symbolic importance explains the years of debate around placing a new cycleway beside such a significant 1930s structure.
The success of this project lies in the confidence and restraint of its resolution. Rather than compete with the Bridge, the cycleway sits alongside it as a finely calibrated contemporary addition. Its sinuous curve, elegant structure and carefully tested geometry allow the historic station entry, lettering and architectural details to remain legible and primary.
The material language is exceptionally well judged. Bronze handrails and soffits bring warmth and dignity, while the ribbed, tapered concrete columns have an almost classical quality, beautifully spaced and proportioned.
The project is both infrastructure and civic. It improves access and movement while acknowledging the layered histories of the place, including Indigenous histories embedded in the landscape. It is a graceful addition to one of Australia’s most important landmarks.
The success of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway is a result of close collaboration between expert industry-leading design specialists in architecture, urban design; industrial and structural professionals and Transport for NSW, underpinned by a Design Excellence Strategy developed by Transport with input from the Government Architect and Heritage NSW.
Combined with extensive stakeholder, user and community testing and engagement, the collaborative design process resulted in an outstanding example of civic infrastructure that is elegant, sculptural, site responsive, celebrates Country, and enables everyone, regardless of age, ability or gender, to comfortably access and experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge and its surrounds.
Huw Turner, Design Architect
Penelope collins, Design Director
Giles Gibbins, Project Architect
Megan Ryan, Graduate of Architecture
Design 5 Architects, Heritage Consultant
Aspect Studios, Landscape Consultant
Eckersley O’Callaghan, Structural Engineer
Eckersley O’Callaghan, Industrial Design Consultant
Stantec, Civil Consultant
Stantec, Structural Engineer
Stantec, Services Consultant
Electrolight, Electrical Consultant
Yerrabingin, First Nations Consultant
Maddison Gibbs and Jason Wing, Artist