If the Albert "Tibby Cotter" Walkway to the Sydney Cricket Ground had never been built, the NSW government would have a spare $38 million to spend on other transport projects, hospitals or schools.

But about 22,000 trips would not have been taken over the bridge during five Cricket World Cup games this year – a return on investment slammed as pitiful by the bridge's detractors and welcomed by its champions.

Former Premier Barry O'Farrell was in such a haste to announce and build the walkway over Anzac Parade, named for a former Test cricketer, for the World Cup that Roads and Maritime Services opted not to go to tender for the project.

The cost of the bridge ended up blowing out by $13 million, from $25 million to $38 million, but the walkway was opened just in time for Sydney's first fixture, on February 27, between South Africa and the West Indies.