John Bradfield (engineer)

John Job Crew Bradfield (26 December 1867 – 23 September 1943) was an Australian engineer best known for his role in the design and construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Bradfield was born in Sandgate, Queensland, and educated at Ipswich Grammar School and the University of Sydney, where he earned degrees in mathematics, engineering, and science. He then worked for the New South Wales Department of Public Works.

Bradfield's most significant achievement was his work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He was appointed Chief Engineer for the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Metropolitan Railway Construction in 1912 and oversaw the entire project from design to completion. He was instrumental in advocating for the arch bridge design, believing it to be the most suitable for the site. He not only supervised the design and construction of the bridge itself but also integrated it into a broader transportation plan for Sydney, which included the city's first underground railway system. This system was designed to utilise the bridge for rail transport.

His other major projects included the Story Bridge in Brisbane (although his role was mainly as a consultant) and the design of the Cataract Dam. He was a strong advocate for hydroelectric power and promoted the development of water resources in New South Wales.

Bradfield received numerous honors throughout his career, including the Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal from the Institution of Engineers Australia. He is remembered as one of Australia's most important engineers and a key figure in the development of Sydney's infrastructure.