This section of the Trans-Canada connects the BC Ferries dock at Horseshoe Bay as well as the Sea to Sky Highway (#99 North) to the Lower Mainland via the Second Narrows Crossing (see below), to continue into Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, heading east.
Upper Levels Highway
The Upper Levels Highway, originally called Highway 401, enabled 4 lane traffic to move from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal onto the Trans-Canada Highway This route opened up in 1964, and connected to the Second Narrows Bridge to the rest of the Trans-Canada Highway.
The Lonsdale interchange was upgraded in 1991 at a cost of $22 million, and the Westview interchange was finished in 1997 at a cost of $33.9 million.
Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing
The bridge, previously known as the Second Narrows Bridge, was renamed to commemorate the 27 workers who lost their lives during its construction.
This is the third bridge built across Burrard Inlet, after the older Second Narrows Bridge, which is now exclusively a rail bridge, and the Lions Gate Bridge (across the First Narrows, 8 km to the west) was built by the Guinness Family in 1950, to connect Vancouver to their new development at the British Properties in North Vancouver. The first Second Narrows Bridge is now exclusively a rail bridge.
Most Vancouverites appreciate the bridge as their access to ski at Mt Seymour, golf at the Northlands Golf Course, or kayak in Deep Cove (and some to learn at Capilano University).
The bridge is 1,292 metres (4,239 ft) and connects to the north shore, which includes the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, and West Vancouver. It is a steel truss cantilever bridge, with a centre span of 335 metres (1,099 ft), and construction took from 1957 to 1960, at a cost of $15 million. There were tolls on the bridge until 1963.
In 2014, the sidewalks were widened on both sides of the bridge, and ‘safety railings’ were added to a height of ten feet, which created a visual narrowing of the bridge, a loss of direct light, and ruined the views from vehicles on both sides of the bridge.
Other Resources
More Trans-Canada Highway History
Trans-Canada Highway Itinerary Map
Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on “+” or “–” to zoom in or out. “Satellite” combines map & photo.
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