Keywords: photo border outdoor "Second Narrows Bridge, Vancouver, British Columbia 16" Low level rail and road bridge built in 1925 by the Burrard Inlet Tunnel and Bridge Co. Opened to traffic on November 7, 1925. Railway tracks connected to the CPR tracks at the south end and a short bascule span was installed near the south end for navigation rather than mid channel. With the strong riptides at the narrows, this led to many mishaps. The worst in September 1930 was when an empty hulk, Pacific Gatherer, a 300-ton log carrier under tow, wedged under the center span at low tide. When the tide rose, the span was lifted and dumped into Burrard Inlet. With the timing of the Great Depression, the crossing remained closed for 4 years. The bridge reopened on June 18, 1934 with the bascule span cut back and the large span to the north rebuilt as a 280-foot vertical lift span, hoisted between two new steel towers. Road crossing was replaced by a new, 6-lane high level Second Narrows Bridge (now the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge; built 1956-60). Highway traffic on the old bridge was ceased in 1963 when the bridge was sold to the CNR for $1. The CNR replaced the old rail crossing in 1969 on the east side with a larger, heavier medium level bridge with a similar vertical lift span which is normally kept partially raised. "Second Narrows Bridge, Vancouver, British Columbia 16" Low level rail and road bridge built in 1925 by the Burrard Inlet Tunnel and Bridge Co. Opened to traffic on November 7, 1925. Railway tracks connected to the CPR tracks at the south end and a short bascule span was installed near the south end for navigation rather than mid channel. With the strong riptides at the narrows, this led to many mishaps. The worst in September 1930 was when an empty hulk, Pacific Gatherer, a 300-ton log carrier under tow, wedged under the center span at low tide. When the tide rose, the span was lifted and dumped into Burrard Inlet. With the timing of the Great Depression, the crossing remained closed for 4 years. The bridge reopened on June 18, 1934 with the bascule span cut back and the large span to the north rebuilt as a 280-foot vertical lift span, hoisted between two new steel towers. Road crossing was replaced by a new, 6-lane high level Second Narrows Bridge (now the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge; built 1956-60). Highway traffic on the old bridge was ceased in 1963 when the bridge was sold to the CNR for $1. The CNR replaced the old rail crossing in 1969 on the east side with a larger, heavier medium level bridge with a similar vertical lift span which is normally kept partially raised. |