Lions Gate Bridge

File:Signing the First Narrows Bridge Agreement (7007002962).jpgImage:Lions' Gate Bridge 1938.jpg

In 1890, land speculator George Grant Mackay wrote in the local paper that he foresaw a bridge over the first narrows.{{cite book |first=Sean |last=Kheraj |title=Inventing Stanley Park: An Environmental History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dFTCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT280 |date=May 24, 2013 |publisher=UBC Press |isbn=978-0-7748-2427-9 |page=280}} The First Narrows ferry operated between Ambleside and Gastown from 1909 to 1947.{{Cite news |last=Mackie |first=John |date=February 5, 2015 |title=This Week In History: 1947 marks last trip for Vancouver/West Vancouver ferry |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/metro/this-week-in-history-1947-marks-last-trip-for-vancouverwest-vancouver-ferry |work=Vancouver Sun |accessdate=December 24, 2022}} The decision on whether to build the bridge was put to the electorate of Vancouver in 1927, but the first plebiscite was defeated and the idea was put to rest for the time being.{{cite book |author1=Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. Conference |author2=Canadian Society for Civil Engineering |title=Computer applications, transportation, soils, environment, cold regions, history, surveying |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IexFAQAAIAAJ |year=1991 |publisher=Soc. |isbn=978-0-921303-26-8}}

Alfred James Towle Taylor, an engineer with a land interest in the construction of the bridge, worked to overcome local opposition to its construction.{{cite web |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lions-gate-bridge/ |title=Lions Gate Bridge |first=James H. |last=Marsh}} Taylor was able to convince Walter Guinness of the Guinness family (of the Irish stout fame) to invest in the land on the north shore of Burrard Inlet. They purchased {{convert|4,700|acre|ha|0|order=flip}} of West Vancouver mountainside through a syndicate called British Pacific Properties Ltd.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcmag.ca/the-man-behind-the-bridge/ |title=The man behind the bridge |date=March 12, 2014}}{{cite book |first=Daniel |last=Francis |title=LD: Mayor Louis Taylor and the Rise of Vancouver |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gq02DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT139 |date=May 17, 2010 |publisher=Arsenal Pulp Press |isbn=978-1-55152-326-2 |page=139}}

On December 13, 1933, a second plebiscite was held, passing with 70 percent in favour.{{cite book |first=Daniel |last=Francis |title=Where Mountains Meet the Sea: An Illustrated History of the District of North Vancouver |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3EtDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA41 |date=July 1, 2016 |publisher=Harbour Publishing |isbn=978-1-55017-752-7 |page=41}}{{cite book |first=Doreen |last=Armitage |title=Burrard Inlet: A History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DPIRAQAAIAAJ |year=2001 |publisher=Harbour Pub. |isbn=978-1-55017-272-0}} After considerable further negotiations with the federal government, approval was finally granted, with the requirement that Vancouver materials and workmen be used as much as possible to provide employment during the Great Depression. The 1933 bylaw authorizing construction included a provision mandating that "no Asiatic person shall be employed in or upon any part of the undertaking or other works".{{cite news |last=Hopper |first=Tristan |title=B.C. property titles bear reminders of a time when race-based covenants kept neighbourhoods white |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/05/16/b-c-property-titles-bear-reminders-of-a-time-when-race-based-covenants-kept-neighbourhoods-white/ |newspaper=National Post |date=May 16, 2014}}

The bridge was designed by the Montreal firm Monsarrat and Pratley, which was later responsible for the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in Halifax, Nova Scotia, using a similar design.{{cite web |url=http://collections.musee-mccord.qc.ca/scripts/viewobject.php?lang=2&tourID=GE_P4_3_EN |title=Building a Vancouver Icon: The Lions Gate Bridge |website=collections.musee-mccord.qc.ca}} Other companies involved in the construction of the bridge included Swan Wooster Engineering, Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc., Canron Western Constructors, Dominion Bridge Company, American Bridge Company.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070101054213/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lionsgatebridge-vancouver-canada "Lions Gate Bridge,"]}} Emporis.com. Retrieved March 8, 2007.

Construction began on March 31, 1937. After one and a half years and a cost of {{CAD|5,873,837|link=yes}}, the bridge opened to traffic on November 14, 1938.{{cite book |first1=Paul |last1=Grant |first2=Laurie |last2=Dickson |title=The Stanley Park Companion |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X-YRAQAAIAAJ |date=2003 |publisher=Bluefield Books |isbn=978-1-894404-16-7}} On May 29, 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth presided over the official opening during a royal visit to Canada.{{cite book |first1=Harold |last1=Kalman |first2=Robin |last2=Ward |title=Exploring Vancouver: The Architectural Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wp7az8ku_gkC&pg=PA247 |year=2012 |publisher=Douglas and McIntyre (2013) Limited |isbn=978-1-55365-867-2 |page=247}}{{cite book |first=Lawrence |last=Berlow |title=Reference Guide to Famous Engineering Landmarks of the World: Bridges, Tunnels, Dams, Roads and Other Structures |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I4t4CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA94 |year=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-93254-1 |page=94}} A toll of 25 cents was charged for each car or horse and carriage; five cents was charged for pedestrians or bicycles.{{cite book |title=Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 4022 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TiFKEhHzI-AC&pg=PA8 |publisher=Natural Resources Canada |page=8 |id=GGKEY:LXDNCC9TFXD}}

File:CVA 1184-3461 - (H.M.C.S. Warrior passing under the Lions' Gate Bridge).jpg passes under Lions Gate Bridge, 1947]]

The bridge was built with two lanes, but a third reversible lane was added on May 19, 1952, to add capacity during peak periods in the peak direction.{{cite news |date=February 19, 1952 |title=3-Lane Traffic on Lions Gate Bridge |page=13 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114120828/3-lane-traffic-on-lions-gate-bridge/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}} The system cost $18,000 and was controlled with signs to indicate when the reversible centre lane was opened to traffic.{{cite news |date=May 8, 1952 |title=Police to Channel Lions Gate Traffic |page=25 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114121484/police-to-channel-lions-gate-traffic/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}}{{cite news |date=May 17, 1952 |title=Lions Gate Traffic Plan To Start On Monday |page=1 |work=The Province |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114121646/lions-gate-traffic-plan-to-start-on/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}}

On January 20, 1955, the Guinness family sold the bridge to the province of British Columbia for $5,873,837{{snd}}the cost of the original construction.{{cite web |last1=Piper |first1=Julia |title=Historic Places: Lions Gate Bridge |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/historical-places-lions-gate-bridge/ |website=Vancouver Sun |access-date=August 8, 2020 |date=April 7, 2020}}{{cite news |date=January 21, 1955 |title=Lions Gate Bridge Sold To B.C. for $5.9 Million |page=1 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114079036/lions-gate-bridge-sold-to-bc-for-59/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}} The government also considered plans to build a parallel span, which was estimated to cost $17 million in 1954,{{cite news |date=November 13, 1954 |title=Firm Ready to Build Twin to Lions Span |page=1 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114078862/firm-ready-to-build-twin-to-lions-span/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}} but these were shelved in favour of moving forward with the construction of the Second Narrows Bridge farther east up the Burrard Inlet and improving the existing Lions Gate Bridge.{{cite news |date=August 17, 1956 |title=No Second Bridge At First Narrows |page=1 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114131477/no-second-bridge-at-first-narrows/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}}

A partial cloverleaf interchange was built in 1956 at Marine Way, located at the end of the bridge's north approach, and was followed by a new bridge over the Capilano River to address congestion issues.{{cite news |date=July 12, 1956 |title=Lions Gate Tolls To Be Cut |page=1 |work=The Province |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114131567/lions-gate-tolls-to-be-cut/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}}

The toll instituted by the Guinness family remained on the Lions Gate Bridge until April 1, 1963, as part of the provincial government's toll removal scheme for several bridges. The toll plaza at the north end of the bridge was later demolished.{{cite news |date=April 1, 1963 |title=Bridge Traffic Goes Smoothly Because It's Free, Free, Free |page=1 |work=The Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43699420/bridge-traffic-goes-smoothly-because/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 4, 2022}}

In 1965, the centre lane controls were replaced with traffic signals.{{cite web |title=National Historic Sites: Lions Gate Bridge |url=https://westvancouver.ca/arts-culture/heritage/national-historic-sites/lions-gate-bridge |publisher=District of West Vancouver |accessdate=December 4, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Mackie |first=John |date=November 13, 2012 |title=This Day in History: The Lions Gate Bridge opening |url=http://www.vancouversun.com/This%2BHistory%2BLions%2BGate%2BBridge%2Bopening/7542229/story.html |work=Vancouver Sun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907120924/http://www.vancouversun.com/This+History+Lions+Gate+Bridge+opening/7542229/story.html |archive-date=September 7, 2019 |accessdate=December 4, 2022}}

In 1975, the deteriorating original concrete deck of the North Viaduct was replaced with a lighter, wider, and stronger steel orthotropic deck with wider lanes. This was carried out in sections using a series of short closures of the bridge; each time, one old section was lowered from the bridge and its replacement was put into place.{{cite journal |last1=Buckland |first1=Peter G. |title=The Lions' Gate Bridge – renovation |url=https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/l81-063#.XzMQqyhKgYw |journal=Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering |year=1981 |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=484–508 |publisher=Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 1981, 8(4): 484–508 |doi=10.1139/l81-063 |access-date=August 1, 2020|url-access=subscription }}

In 1986, the Guinness family, as a gift to Vancouver, purchased decorative lights that make it a distinctive nighttime landmark.{{cite book |first=Anne |last=Vipond |title=Alaska by Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to the Alaska Cruiseship Experience |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fFHtuPKc4JsC |date=1997 |publisher=Ocean Cruise Guides |isbn=978-0-9697991-2-2}} The 170 lights were designed and installed by British engineer Ian Hayward and first lit up on February 19 of that year.{{cite report

|url=https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/0706-1897

|title=Minister of Transportation and Highways Report for the Fiscal Year 1985/86

|last=Province of British Columbia

|date=1986

|publisher=Government of British Columbia

|access-date= December 1, 2022

|page=238

|location=Victoria

|language=EN}}

{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Sarah |title=Hundreds Cheer as Span Becomes Beacon |id={{ProQuest|2241376313}} |pages=1(A1), 2(A2) |work=The Vancouver Sun |publisher=The Vancouver Sun |date=February 20, 1986}}{{cite news|date=October 2017 |title=Major Ian Aubrey Hayward, P. Eng. (Ret'd) |url=https://cmea-agmc.ca/major-ian-aubrey-hayward |work=The Canadian Military Engineers Association |accessdate=February 24, 2023}}

In 1994, a new counterflow system was introduced to the bridge to reduce congestion.{{cite web | url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TRAN0072-001001 | title=System upgrade coming to Lions Gate Bridge counterflow | BC Gov News | date=May 25, 2021 }}

File:LionsGateBridgeDeckReplacementProgressApril2001.jpg replacement, April 2001]]

From September 2000 to September 2001, the replacement of the entire suspended structure of the original suspension bridge was undertaken without interruption of peak-hour traffic{{Snd}}the first time an entire suspended structure of a major suspension bridge was replaced while in daily use.{{cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Jane |date=January 7, 2002 |title=Bridge retrofit a modern miracle |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bridge-retrofit-a-modern-miracle/article4129439/ |work=The Globe and Mail |accessdate=December 9, 2022}} As with the 1975 replacement work, this was facilitated by a series of separate nighttime and weekend closures to replace one section at a time. The old suspended section was lowered to a barge, and the new lighter and wider orthotropic deck section raised into place and connected. A total of 47 sections were used before being paved.{{cite news |date=April 10, 2022 |title=Time Traveller: This is how the entire deck of Lions Gate Bridge was replaced |url=https://www.nsnews.com/in-the-community/time-traveller-this-is-how-the-entire-deck-of-lions-gate-bridge-was-replaced-5225337 |work=North Shore News |accessdate=December 9, 2022}} The new deck was designed with the two pedestrian walkways cantilevered to the outside of the suspension cables and the three road lanes widened from {{convert|3|to|3.6|m|ft|0|abbr=out}} each. As a result of the 2001 replacement, the 63-year-old suspension bridge, which was described as "not designed for durability", had its lifespan extended.{{cite journal |last1=Buckland |first1=Peter G. |last2=Matson |first2=Darryl |title=The reconstructed Lions' Gate suspension bridge, Vancouver |url=https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/10.1680/bren.2003.156.3.125 |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering |issn=1478-4637| volume= 156 |issue=3 |date=September 2003|pages=125–133 |doi=10.1680/bren.2003.156.3.125 |access-date=August 1, 2020 |quote=A 60-year-old suspension bridge, not designed for durability, was given a new lease of life, safety was improved, both structural and traffic-wise, and maintenance was reduced, by the replacement of the entire suspended structure without interruption of peak-hour traffic. It is the first time such an operation has been performed at this scale.|url-access=subscription }}

In July 2009, the bridge's lighting system was updated with new LED lights to replace its system of 100-watt mercury vapour bulbs. The switch to LEDs was expected to reduce power consumption on the bridge by 90 percent and save the provincial government about $30,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs.{{cite web |url=https://www.bchydro.com/news/conservation/2009/lions_gate_LED.html |title=Lions Gate Bridge LED lighting to save $30,000 a year |website=www.bchydro.com}}

In 2020, a project to decrease the likelihood of a boat accident was completed.{{cite web | url=https://media.sabik.com/media/precision-sector-light-pel-4-installed-on-the-iconic-lions-gate-bridge-vancouver-canada | title=Precision Sector Light PEL-4 installed on the iconic Lions Gate Bridge Vancouver, Canada }}

In May 2022, a project to replace the lane control signals with new LED ones was completed.{{cite web | url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/other-transportation-projects/lions-gate | title=Lions Gate Bridge North Approach Viaduct Deck Resurfacing - Province of British Columbia }}

In late 2023, the northern approach was repaved.

• The bridge is the namesake of locally founded film company Lionsgate Films.{{cite book |first=Robert |last=Niemi |title=The Cinema of Robert Altman: Hollywood Maverick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wG3lCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT57 |date=March 1, 2016 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-85086-5 |page=57}}
• It was featured as a set for the opening scene in the 2011 film Final Destination 5, known fictionally as the "North Bay Bridge".{{cite web |url=http://www.vancourier.com/news/six-fun-facts-about-the-lions-gate-bridge-1.23130030 |title=Six fun facts about the Lions Gate Bridge |first=Martha |last=Perkins}}
• The bridge is featured in the background of the "Vancouver Velocity" course in Mario Kart Tour.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

File:Lion's Gate Bridge at Sunset.JPG|Lions Gate Bridge at Sunset, 2013

File:Lions' Gate Bridge (from Stanley Park).jpg|Lions Gate Bridge from Downtown Vancouver

File:Lions Gate Bridge at night.jpg|Lions Gate Bridge and North Vancouver from Prospect Point in Stanley Park

File:Lions Gate Bridge 4.jpg|Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park, 2013

File:LionsGateBridgeFromCypressViewpointWinterNight2012.JPG|Lions Gate Bridge in relation to Vancouver city and harbour, from Cypress Viewpoint, Dec 2012

File:Lions Gate Bridge (air).jpg|Lions Gate Bridge from floatplane

File:Lions Gate bridge.JPG|Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park, 2013

File:Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver (44672850422).jpg|Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver

File:Lions Gate BridgeI13 Vancouver BC Canada visit-world.jpg|Lions Gate Bridge 360 panorama, 2009

File:Lions-Gate-Bridge-North-Shore.jpg|Lions Gate Bridge as seen from the North Shore with Downtown Vancouver in the background, 2022

• 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake
• List of bridges
• List of bridges in Canada
• Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, sister bridge

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Lions Gate Bridge}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqydOmG06Is 1938 film about the construction of the bridge]
• [http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/keys/webtours/GE_P4_3_EN.html Building a Vancouver Icon: The Lions Gate Bridge] – the construction of the Lions Gate Bridge (illustrated with many photographs)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140715114725/http://www.discovervancouver.com/GVB/vancouver-bridges.asp Bridges of Greater Vancouver]
• {{Structurae|id=20000837|title=Lions' Gate Bridge}}

{{Bridges of Greater Vancouver}}

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Category:Bridges completed in 1938

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