As a city renowned for its stunning combination of majestic mountains, flourishing green and rushing rivers and creeks; Vancouver requires a variety of bridges to link it all together. The city itself has eight important bridges (excluding the Capilano suspension bridge): three of them extend over the Fraser River on the edge of Vancouver on the south-side, an additional three stretch over False Creek connecting downtown Vancouver to other parts of the city and the remaining two cross over the Burrard Inlet and connect downtown Vancouver to West Vancouver and the North Shore. This article looks into the history and beginnings of the Lions Gate and Second Narrows bridges; it will also discuss the Golden Ears Bridge, the newest bridge in the Greater Vancouver region.

Second Narrows Bridge/Ironworkers Memorial

The Ironworkers Memorial Bridge is a vertical lift railway bridge that extends over the second narrowing of the Burrard Inlet. It is known to be the very first bridge to connect the municipalities of Vancouver with those in the North Shore. Discussion regarding the construction of the Second Narrows began back in the clamour of the Klondike Gold Rush where numerous railway companies sought to build a railway the extended from Vancouver to the Dawson gold fields. While many efforts were taken to push the construction through, there were also many problems: the North Shore was not developed enough, companies that were to fund the project became bankrupt and the beginning of World War I had the government's concentration elsewhere.

The bridge was eventually erected in 1925 by John Stewart and Northern Construction. It began with only a car deck but was expanded to accommodate trains a year later. After being hit by ships on a number of occasions and being out of service for approximately 4 years, the provincial government bought the bridge in 1933 and set up a lift section of the deck. During the 1960s, a newer, much larger and higher six lane Second Narrows Bridge was constructed aside the former bridge. The original bridge became one solely for rail use. In 1994, the new bridge was designated the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in honour of those who lost their lives during the bridge's construction.

Lions Gate Bridge

The Lions Gate Bridge, also referred to as the First Narrows Bridge, is a suspension bridge that stretches across the Burrard Inlet and links downtown Vancouver with the communities of West Vancouver and the North Shore. The bridge was named after the Lions, a pair of mountain peaks in North Vancouver and contains three reversible lanes each equipped with overhead lane signals to indicate availability of the lane.

Talks surrounding the formation of the Lions Gate started in 1890, when many bridge builders saw the necessity of a bridge the would cross the first narrows of the Burrard Inlet. There was much dispute on whether the construction should go through; many protested that it would ruin Stanley Park, get in the way of the busy seaport or take away toll revenue from the Second Narrows Bridge. But others thought it was needed to open up development to the North Shore and that many of the problems proposed could be managed. It was not until 1933 that a majority vote for the bridge went through. Although Alfred James Towle, a member of the bridge proposal effort, owned the provincial franchise to build the structure, he did not have the finances to purchase the large sections of land needed in North and West Vancouver. He turned to the Guinness Family (of the renowned Irish beer) to help fund the project and invest in the land that was necessary.

The bridge was designed by Montreal-based Monsarrat and Pratley and although it initially was built with two lanes, the road was later repainted with three lanes to accommodate more vehicles. Since its construction, the Lions Gate has been restored and rebuilt by the City of Vancouver to prolong its longevity and to allow for more commuters such as bikers and pedestrians.

Golden Ears Bridge

While the Golden Ears Bridge is not directly attached to the city of Vancouver, it is the latest bridge to be constructed in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and is considered the longest extradosed bridge in North America. As a development of Translink, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, this six-lane structure crosses over the Fraser River and connects the communities on the south end of Langley and Surrey with those on the North end of Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. It was officially opened for traffic on June 16, 2009.

Named after the twin mountain peaks that survey the bridge area from north of the Fraser River, the Golden Ears Bridge is also said to be the most substantial improvement to the Greater Vancouver road system since the creation of the Alex Fraser Bridge in 1986. Studies have also revealed that this new bridge will have a positive long term impact in the area, improving travel times and enhancing economic activity.

About the Author:

Devon O'Malley is a staff writer for Alluradirect, a vacation rental website featuring Vancouver lodging direct from owners, free from commission fees. Take a trip across Vancouver's bridges and discover the sights and sounds of beautiful British Columbia.