Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, BC

Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, BC is actually a well-known nickname for the First Narrows Bridge, but no one really uses that name. This is a suspension bridge which connects the City of Vancouver to the City of North Vancouver, West Vancouver and the North Shore area. It is suspended over the Burrard Inlet.

The Guinness Family, of Guinness beer popularity, had a major hand in helping get the bridge built back in the 1930's. And while they sold the Lions Gate Bridge in the 1960s, the family still presented the City of Vancouver with special lights to be installed on it. These colorful lights were first turned on in 1986 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of its beginning construction. Today, you may see many pictures and photo studies of the Lions Gate Bridge with the lights on as the sun sets.

Names for two mountain peaks in the horizon that resemble lions sleeping, Lions Gate Bridge provides a great first impression when you enter Vancouver via this method. Thanks to recent improvements, there are some wider lanes in which to drive and bigger sidewalks which you can traverse. In fact, you should try and make it a point to walk across the bridge as you can get a great view of the city as well as of the boats and cruise ships that travel through Burrard Inlet.

This bridge has reversible lanes so that the city government can change the flow of traffic as needed. With special traffic signals, it is typically the middle lane which switches with the flow of traffic. The Lions Gate Bridge has become a landmark which represents Vancouver well as well as highlights the North Shore area.