The suburbs east of Middle Harbour grew rapidly in the years following the opening of the inaugural Roseville Bridge.

[2][5][6][7] Built at a cost of A$1.64 million, the bridge was designed by the Department of Main Roads, with architects Fowell, Mansfield & Maclurcan being design consultants on the project; the primary contractor was John Holland (Constructions) Pty Ltd.[8] The bridge is 377 metres (1,237 ft) long has a clearance of 17.4 metres (57 ft) from the water below.

On 8 March 2022, torrential rain and inadequate drainage led to the bridge being dubbed the new "Roseville Aqueduct" with images showing floating cars and water fall edge.

[9] An original bridge across Middle Harbour at Roseville was built jointly by the Willoughby, Ku-ring-gai and Warringah councils; with fifty percent of the funding provided by the NSW Government.

[1][11] The first bridge replaced an earlier ferry service consisting of rowing boats across the narrowest section of water.