Pont Lions Gate

The bridge Lions Spoils English (: Lions' Spoils Bridge , but official name is First Narrows Bridge ) is a Suspended bridge of road use, inaugurated in 1938, which crosses the Baie Burrard to the top of First Narrows between the towns of Vancouver and Western Vancouver in British Columbia, with the Canada. It constitutes one of the symbols of the town of Vancouver.

Its name running English Lions' Spoils French (: “The door of the lions”) refers in the name of a famous formation Montagne uses, made up of two brought closer tops, in the North Shore Mountains (buttresses of the coastal Chaîne of the Pacific).

Whereas in the beginning, it was about a private work, the bridge is currently the property of the province of Colombia-British.

Characteristics

The Lions Spoils connects the park Stanley , close to the downtown area of Vancouver (on southern bank of the Burrard bay), and Western Vancouver on northern bank of bay. It is a suspended bridge of the type anchored on the ground, with apron in beam with lattice.

The length of the apron of the bridge is of 472 meters. The overall length of the bridge, with the approach ramps, is of 1823 meters. The height of the Pilier S is of 111 meters and the Tirant of maximum air for the passage of the boats is of 61 meters. The motor vehicle traffic on the bridge is done on three ways. The direction of circulation of the file of the medium can be easily modified according to the needs, using traffic lights. Medium-heavy trafic on the bridge is about: 70000 vehicles per day.

The road axis of the bridge belongs to the provincial Autoroute S 1A and 99 (also known under the English name Sea to Sky Highway ).

The suspended bridges anchored on the ground require the presence of imposing and heavy anchorage pillars. Prospect Not in the Stanley park was appropriate well for the installation of the bridge, but with the other extremity the coastal plain required the construction of a slope of extension.

History

A first bridge, of railway use and truck driver, had been built on the Burrard bay in 1925, with height of Second Narrows . At the beginning of the the Thirties, this bridge is damaged and the inhabitants must again use the vats and the Ferry S to cross bay. The old idea to build a new bridge, at the entry of the Port of Vancouver over First Narrows is reinforced, even after the bridge Second Narrows is given in service. A vote is organized in 1933 on this subject and its result is favorable to the construction of the new bridge.

A business man, Alfred James Towle Taylor, will play a great part in the realization of the project. Alfred Taylor had a presentiment of the potential in residential Immobilier which the northern bank of bay could represent if one connected it directly in the middle prestigious center town of Vancouver. For him, the bridge was not to only be one transportation route but also a remarkable work by its Esthétisme.

For to finance the project, Taylor taken contact with the British family Guiness which had grounds on northern bank. The total costs of the bridge will rise finally to 5,6 million Canadian dollars.

After years of talks with the authorities, Taylor ends up obtaining their agreement and the project which been able to be carried out.

Construction

The construction of the bridge, which lasted of the March 31st 1937 with the April 19th 1938, was a considerable public spectacle for the inhabitants and the visitors of the area.

Structure

To see

Internal bonds

Town of Vancouver
Bay Burrard

External bonds

Video on the construction of the Lions bridge Spoils (QuickTime format) available on the Web site of the Museum McCord

References

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