||After Hawkesbury River (1945) and Hexham Bridge (1952) it was the most substantial undertaking in the construction of a steel truss bridge by the DMR in the post war period. Like these, it stands out as a remarkable and optimistic achievement in the depressed economic conditions then prevailing. It served as a replacement for an earlier bridge which was constructed in 1881 which formed an important link in Sydney's electric tramway service. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
||The Bridge stands as a testament to the abilities of the DMR Bridge Designer Laurie Challis, this being the largest steel truss project he was associated with. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a local level.
||The Bridge exhibits the technical excellence of its design, as all the structural details are clearly visible. Unlike many bridges, it is particularly striking to those who use the Bridge because users are enveloped in the truss. Due to its impressive size it forms a local landmark that has a 'gateway' quality for the suburbs of Balmain and Drummoyne. The Bridge is comprised of aesthetically distinctive piers and abutments which reflect the Inter-War Art Deco style which was prevalent when it was first designed in 1942. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
||The Parramatta River is very popular with rowers and boating enthusiasts, and so the landmark of Iron Cove Bridge is highly valued by locals and tourists alike, giving them a sense of place. The community would therefore have a deep sense of loss should the Bridge be damaged or destroyed. It forms part of the Bay Run which is a popular walking and cycling route for residents of Rozelle, Drummoyne and Five Dock. In addition, the Bridge has contributed significantly to the social and commercial development of the suburbs around Drummoyne. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
||Steelwork for the superstructure was supplied and fabricated by the Clyde Engineering Co. Ltd, the firm which was integral in the construction of the Hawkesbury River Bridge in 1945 .A feature of the steel design is that the Bridge components clearly reflect the forces they are transmitting. Furthermore, it was the last steel truss bridge to be constructed in NSW in which rivets were used for field connections prior to the introduction of high strength bolts. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
||Iron Cove Bridge is one of the largest (most spans) steel truss bridges constructed in NSW. Metal bridges are relatively rare in relation to the total road bridge population. It stands as a record of DMR optimism in the depressed period after war, and the Art Deco elements in its design are not seen on other bridges of this type. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
||The Bridge is an excellent example of its type, having the principal characteristics of this important class of bridges (ie the steel Pratt truss), but is outstanding because of its setting and size. Furthermore it possesses fine architectural detailing not seen on other bridges of this type. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.