The First and Second Narrows Crossings of Burrard Inlet
by Jaclyn McLeod
Ironworkers Memorial Bridge
Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and Second Narrows CN Rail Bridge seen from Vancouver.
Exponential growth in both population and automobiles in Vancouver and North Vancouver, meant a rising need for a better transportation system. The Second Narrows rail-and-car bridge was no longer suitable for the growing city. The original bridge was constructed in 1925, and had two lanes and a railway track down the centre. The bridge could be lifted to accommodate passing boats, but this was a great inconvenience for commuters across the bridge. The nickname the “bridge of sighs” was given due to the frequency of marine accidents. Accidents were due to the placement of the lift span in shallow waters. For example in 1930 the Losmar of the Calmar Line hit the bridge, causing much damage, and the bridges closure for many months.
Other options to the public for crossing the narrows was a car ferry service between Vancouver and North Vancouver, and the Lions Gate Bridge. Clearly a new structure was needed, and the Second Narrows Bridge was to be transferred to the CNR. The original Second Narrows Bridge is now called The Second Narrows CN Rail Bridge, and is not available for public use.
Other options to the public for crossing the narrows was a car ferry service between Vancouver and North Vancouver, and the Lions Gate Bridge. Clearly a new structure was needed, and the Second Narrows Bridge was to be transferred to the CNR. The original Second Narrows Bridge is now called The Second Narrows CN Rail Bridge, and is not available for public use.
Ironworkers Memorial Bridge plaque commemorating the tragedy of 1958.
The location of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge at Second Narrows was chosen over First Narrows for several reasons. These reasons being cost, time frame, and the wish to not increase traffic in downtown Vancouver. The new bridge was built just 130m east of the original. The bridge is a steel truss cantilever bridge. The Swan Wooster Engineering Co. Ltd. was hired to create the design. Construction began in November 1957. The bridge spans 1292m, and has a centre span length of 335m. Total cost of the project was approximately 15 million dollars.
On June 17, 1958 at 3:40 p.m. tragedy struck Vancouver. A section of the unfinished bridge collapsed into the inlet. 18 workers were killed immediately. 79 workers fell into the water that day, and 20 of those were hospitalized. The fall was 53m to the water. A diver was later killed while retrieving the bodies. The accident was due to stress from a loaded crane on the northern span of the unfinished structure. It was concluded by the Royal Commission of Enquiry that the collapse of the bridge was due to a design error. However this explanation is not accepted by all. Many question the quality of materials, and cutbacks made during construction. In total 25 lives were lost over four separate incidents during the construction of the bridge.
On June 17, 1958 at 3:40 p.m. tragedy struck Vancouver. A section of the unfinished bridge collapsed into the inlet. 18 workers were killed immediately. 79 workers fell into the water that day, and 20 of those were hospitalized. The fall was 53m to the water. A diver was later killed while retrieving the bodies. The accident was due to stress from a loaded crane on the northern span of the unfinished structure. It was concluded by the Royal Commission of Enquiry that the collapse of the bridge was due to a design error. However this explanation is not accepted by all. Many question the quality of materials, and cutbacks made during construction. In total 25 lives were lost over four separate incidents during the construction of the bridge.
Lions Gate Bridge
The Lions Gate Bridge was built to alleviate traffic, and encourage the development of West Vancouver. Alfred Taylor was a Vancouver businessman with great interest in the residential real-estate of West Vancouver. At the time West Vancouver was home to only 3,000 residents. Taylor originally proposed a bridge across the First Narrows in 1909, however this plan was rejected. Initially the people of Vancouver opposed Taylor’s plan, as they were reluctant to build an extensive road through Stanley Park.
The Depression era brought a change of heart to Vancouver. Taylor gathered a private investment made by the Guinness family. The same Guinness family responsible for Ireland’s most famous beer. The Guinness Brewing Company had purchased 4,000 acres of West Vancouver land, and was eager to attract residential development. Low labour costs were available at this time due to the Great Depression. The federal government insisted that the bridge be built using local materials and labourers to provide much needed employment. The bridge was designed by Monsarrat and Pratley of Montreal. The iconic lion sculptures were made by Charles Marega. They stand at the entrance to the bridge in Stanley Park. Prime Minister Willam Lyon MacKenzie King approved the proposed bridge plan in 1936, and construction began on March 31, 1937.
The Depression era brought a change of heart to Vancouver. Taylor gathered a private investment made by the Guinness family. The same Guinness family responsible for Ireland’s most famous beer. The Guinness Brewing Company had purchased 4,000 acres of West Vancouver land, and was eager to attract residential development. Low labour costs were available at this time due to the Great Depression. The federal government insisted that the bridge be built using local materials and labourers to provide much needed employment. The bridge was designed by Monsarrat and Pratley of Montreal. The iconic lion sculptures were made by Charles Marega. They stand at the entrance to the bridge in Stanley Park. Prime Minister Willam Lyon MacKenzie King approved the proposed bridge plan in 1936, and construction began on March 31, 1937.
The iconic lion sculpture at the entrance to the Lions Gate Bridge.
The Lions Gate Bridge was originally built as a two-lane bridge, fit to handle approximately one million vehicles a year. As of 2012 the bridge is three lanes and sees 25 million vehicles annually. It is the largest suspension bridge in Western Canada. As one of Vancouver’s most iconic images, the Lions Gate Bridge has been subject to many major renovations. The third lane was added to the bridge in 1952. In 1975the north approach viaduct was replaced, causing periodic closures. In 2000/2001 the main deck was renovated to account for increased traffic flow, and seismic concerns. This included the widening of existing lanes to 3.6m, and the addition of pedestrian and cyclist lanes.
In 2004 the Lions Gate Bridge was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. The Lions Gate Bridge has been deemed of high heritage value due to the following: it’s symbolic value, elegant design, engineering achievement, and influence on the development of Vancouver. Looking out over Prospects Point in Stanley Park, it is clear why the Lions Gate Bridge has become symbolic of Vancouver. The bridge is highly important within the transportation system, as well as a marvel of design and engineering.
For More Information:
The Lions Gate Bridge as seen from the North-eastern portion of the seawall at Stanley Park.
Online resources:
Ironworkers Memorial Bridge
http://www.panoramicearth.com/9088/Vancouver/Ironworkers_Memorial_Bridge
http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0007234
http://web.archive.org/web/20051215112137/http://www.nsnews.com/issues00/w062600/06210001.html
http://www.worksafebc.com/news_room/news_releases/2008/new_08_06_17.asp
Lions Gate Bridge
http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11711&pid=0
http://www.joseph.ca/words/lions.html
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/scripts/projects/CH/animCH.php?tourID=GE_P4_3_EN&Lang=1&
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/This+History+Lions+Gate+Bridge+opening/7542229/story.html
http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2012/06/12/inside-vancouvers-hidden-past-the-secret-history-of-the-lions-gate-bridge/
http://www.globalbirdphotos.com/ve/238_249_Taylor_and_the_Lions_Gate_Bridge_Author.pdf
Books:
Broadfoot, Anne, and Czolowski, Ted
1969 Through Lions Gate. 1st ed. Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia.
D’Acres, Lilia, and Luxton, Donald
1999 Lions Gate.1st ed. Talonbooks, Burnaby, British Columbia.
Davis, Chuck
2001 Vancouver Then &Now. 1st ed. Magic Light Publishing, Ottawa, Ontario.
Feldman, Denis
2009 The Bridges of Metro Vancouver A Pictorial Survey. 1st ed. Cordillera Books, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Jamieson, Eric
2008 Tragedy at Second Narrows. 1st ed. Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd., Madeira Park, British Columbia.
Ironworkers Memorial Bridge
http://www.panoramicearth.com/9088/Vancouver/Ironworkers_Memorial_Bridge
http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0007234
http://web.archive.org/web/20051215112137/http://www.nsnews.com/issues00/w062600/06210001.html
http://www.worksafebc.com/news_room/news_releases/2008/new_08_06_17.asp
Lions Gate Bridge
http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11711&pid=0
http://www.joseph.ca/words/lions.html
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/scripts/projects/CH/animCH.php?tourID=GE_P4_3_EN&Lang=1&
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/This+History+Lions+Gate+Bridge+opening/7542229/story.html
http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2012/06/12/inside-vancouvers-hidden-past-the-secret-history-of-the-lions-gate-bridge/
http://www.globalbirdphotos.com/ve/238_249_Taylor_and_the_Lions_Gate_Bridge_Author.pdf
Books:
Broadfoot, Anne, and Czolowski, Ted
1969 Through Lions Gate. 1st ed. Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia.
D’Acres, Lilia, and Luxton, Donald
1999 Lions Gate.1st ed. Talonbooks, Burnaby, British Columbia.
Davis, Chuck
2001 Vancouver Then &Now. 1st ed. Magic Light Publishing, Ottawa, Ontario.
Feldman, Denis
2009 The Bridges of Metro Vancouver A Pictorial Survey. 1st ed. Cordillera Books, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Jamieson, Eric
2008 Tragedy at Second Narrows. 1st ed. Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd., Madeira Park, British Columbia.