Second Narrows Bridge
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The Second Narrows Bridge crosses the Burrard Inlet and connects Vancouver with the North Shore. As the name suggests, it is located at the second narrowing of the Burrard Inlet.
The original Second Narrows Bridge was constructed in 1925, and was the first bridge to connect Vancouver with the North Shore. This bridge was originally constructed with a car deck and a year later in 1926 trains began using the bridge as well. After being hit by a number of ships and being out of service for 4 years, in 1933 the provincial government bought the bridge and installed a lift section of the deck.
In 1960 a new much larger and higher 6 lane Second Narrows Bridge was constructed alongside the original bridge, and the original bridge was converted exclusively for rail use. In 1994 the new bridge was renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. However, this bridge is still commonly referred to as the Second Narrows Bridge.
The original bridge is still in use today exclusively as a rail bridge. Unless moving a train across the Burrard inlet, the lift section is always in the up position to allow ships to go underneath.
The Lion's Gate Bridge spans the first narrows of Burrard Inlet.
Chronology of the Original Second Narrows Bridge
- completed in 1925;
- in 1926, connected by the 3 km CNR tunnel, trains also began using the bridge;
- on September 13, 1930 the barge, Pacific Gatherer, collides tears out the centre span;
- the bridge remained closed for four years;
- in 1933 the bridge was sold to the Provincial government;
- in 1934 the bridge was reopened replacing the basculee with a centre lift span.