Second Narrows Bridge
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- For the adjacent highway bridge, see Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing
Image:Old second narrows bridge V.jpg 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 (350 metre span) 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 Second Narrows Crossing. 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 Lions' Gate Bridge spans the first narrows of Burrard Inlet.
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Chronology of the Original Second Narrows Bridge
Image:Second Narrows Bridge 1926.jpg Image:Pacific Gatherer Second Narrows crash.jpg
- 1925: The bridge is completed.
- 1926: Connected by the 3 km CNR tunnel, trains also began using the bridge.
- 1927: A 10,000 ton freighter, the Eurana hit it on March 10 causing almost $80,000 worth of damage.
- 1928: Hit by the Norwich City.
- 1930: The Losmar hits the south span.
- 1930: On September 13, the barge, Pacific Gatherer, becomes wedged under the bridge’s fixed centre span. The tide rose pushing the barge up under the span, knocking it off its supports. The span hung off one side before suddenly breaking free and sinking into the depths of Burrard Inlet. Lawsuits and the bankruptcy of the Bridge company delayed any attempt at repairs. The bridge remained closed for four years.
- 1933: Sold to the Provincial government. Repairs began.
- 1934: Reopened, replacing the basculee with a centre lift span.
- 1963: Closed to highway traffic and sold to the CNR for $1.
Trivia
- According to rumour, the poet Stanley Cooperman had committed suicide by jumping off this bridge in 1976.
External links
- A Short History of the Second Narrows Bridge
- Satellite image of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing and Second Narrows Bridge