{"id":4345,"date":"2022-09-26T13:50:08","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T20:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/?p=4345"},"modified":"2024-12-11T08:55:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T16:55:39","slug":"history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge","title":{"rendered":"History of Vancouver\u2019s Cambie Street Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Bridges are an essential part of a city\u2019s infrastructure, writes <a href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\"><em>vancouver-future<\/em><\/a>. They significantly simplify traffic flow and, at times, allow for quick transit between opposite sides of a city. This is not only convenient for drivers but also helps connect the city&#8217;s most remote areas with those closer to the centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, bridges play a crucial role in managing traffic distribution. Some cities have bridges designated exclusively for truck traffic, with clear separation of lanes for passenger vehicles and heavy transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of Vancouver, it is worth noting that the city boasts numerous bridges, each with a unique history. Many of these structures were built in the 18th century, later improved and modernized. These restorations add to their charm, offering a glimpse into the city\u2019s development. Local museums often preserve photographs and illustrations of historic bridges, providing a visual chronology of these architectural marvels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bridges are frequently associated with fascinating historical events. They are often named after notable figures who have some connection to their construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, bridges deserve to be the subjects of books, articles, and essays as they stand as witnesses to history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing our series on Vancouver\u2019s bridges, we cannot overlook one of the city\u2019s oldest structures. With references to <em>vancouver.ca<\/em>, we\u2019ll explore the Cambie Street Bridge and its many interesting facts and events. This historical site is valuable and significant for Vancouver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, settle in and join us in diving into the history of this ancient and remarkable bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0fab5633160\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0fab5633160\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#Overview\" title=\"Overview\">Overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#The_Old_Bridge\" title=\"The Old Bridge\">The Old Bridge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#The_Second_Version\" title=\"The Second Version\">The Second Version<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#Distinguished_Guests\" title=\"Distinguished Guests\">Distinguished Guests<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#Accidents\" title=\"Accidents\">Accidents<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#A_Successor_Bridge\" title=\"A Successor Bridge\">A Successor Bridge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#The_New_Bridge\" title=\"The New Bridge\">The New Bridge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#The_Heating_Plant\" title=\"The Heating Plant\">The Heating Plant<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#Research_Findings\" title=\"Research Findings\">Research Findings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#A_Venue_for_Running\" title=\"A Venue for Running\">A Venue for Running<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#The_End_of_the_%E2%80%9CCar_Era%E2%80%9D\" title=\"The End of the &#8220;Car Era&#8221;\">The End of the &#8220;Car Era&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/eternal-4345-history-of-vancouvers-cambie-street-bridge\/#A_New_Role\" title=\"A New Role\">A New Role<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overview\"><\/span>Overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-33.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-33.png 800w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-33-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-33-768x453.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-33-696x411.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cambie Street Bridge is a concrete road bridge with a girder design that spans Vancouver\u2019s well-known False Creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The current structure, built in 1985, is the third bridge on this site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bridge connects False Creek\u2019s southern shore to two central streets, Nelson and Smithe. It is the easternmost bridge in the area, with the Burrard and Granville bridges located farther west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Old_Bridge\"><\/span>The Old Bridge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-34.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-34.png 800w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-34-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-34-768x550.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-34-696x499.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The first Cambie Street Bridge opened in 1891. It was a simple trestle structure made of wooden piles, featuring a swing span in the middle. The project cost $12,000 CAD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Second_Version\"><\/span>The Second Version<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The government later decided to replace the original bridge. The second iteration was a four-lane steel bridge spanning 1,247 metres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One significant innovation was the inclusion of a tram system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"743\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-35.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-35.png 743w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-35-300x242.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-35-696x562.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Completed in 1911, the construction cost $740,000 CAD. The new bridge was inaugurated on May 24, 1911.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Distinguished_Guests\"><\/span>Distinguished Guests<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1912, Canada\u2019s Governor General Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, along with the Duchess and their daughter Princess Patricia, visited Vancouver and presided over a ceremony renaming the bridge the \u201cConnaught Bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the new name failed to gain popularity, and locals continued calling it the \u201cCambie Bridge,\u201d honouring Henry John Cambie, a pioneer and Vancouver native.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accidents\"><\/span>Accidents<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The swing span of the bridge was a steel, through-truss design, requiring a four-hour advance notice for opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1953, the swing span was opened 79 times. Eventually, its use was reduced to twice a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The swing span caused many traffic accidents, as its structure separated the bridge\u2019s inner lanes from the outer ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On one occasion, the wooden deck\u2014treated with creosote\u2014caught fire, leading to the collapse of a steel side span measuring nearly 24.5 metres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Successor_Bridge\"><\/span>A Successor Bridge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Between 1983 and 1985, a new, higher, non-swing bridge was constructed as the successor to the 1911 version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To facilitate construction, the crossing was closed for nine months starting in November 1984. The project involved integrating a newly built concrete bridge with existing approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new bridge cost nearly $53 million CAD and opened on December 8, 1985. Construction proceeded rapidly to prepare the bridge for the Expo 86 event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_New_Bridge\"><\/span>The New Bridge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1985 bridge is a continuous span structure made of prestressed concrete girders. It measures 1,100 metres in length, features six traffic lanes, and includes pedestrian pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The addition of volcanic ash during the paving process resulted in the bridge&#8217;s unique concrete tint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Heating_Plant\"><\/span>The Heating Plant<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The bridge\u2019s southern end houses the Neighbourhood Energy Utility, a heating plant owned by Vancouver. It supplies heat and hot water to all buildings in Southeast False Creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Research_Findings\"><\/span>Research Findings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both sides of the bridge are equipped with pedestrian sidewalks, separated from vehicle traffic by concrete barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cambie Street Bridge is the second most-used bridge by pedestrians in the False Creek area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A 2002 study revealed that over 1,500 people crossed the bridge daily on foot. Cyclists frequently use the bridge\u2019s wide sidewalks as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cyclists are also permitted to ride on the road, with access available in both directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Venue_for_Running\"><\/span>A Venue for Running<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cambie Street Bridge is frequently used as a running route for various sporting events. Notably, it serves as part of the course for the <em>Vancouver Sun Run<\/em> and the <em>Vancouver Marathon<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_End_of_the_%E2%80%9CCar_Era%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>The End of the &#8220;Car Era&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-36.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-36.png 800w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-36-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-36-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.vancouver-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2024\/12\/image-36-696x464.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>TransLink bus routes, including Routes 15 and 17, also use the Cambie Street Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On January 17, 2018, Vancouver authorities decided to convert one of the bridge\u2019s vehicle lanes into a dedicated bike lane. This decision was driven by a decrease in car traffic on the bridge over the past 20 years, while bicycles accounted for approximately 80,000 daily crossings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The official construction of the bike lane began on June 2, 2018, and it opened to the public on June 25 of the same year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_New_Role\"><\/span>A New Role<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the summer of 2021, the Cambie Street Bridge was chosen as the site for the <em>Voxel Bridge<\/em> project, a showcase of augmented reality as part of the Vancouver Biennale initiative.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bridges are an essential part of a city\u2019s infrastructure, writes vancouver-future. They significantly simplify traffic flow and, at times, allow for quick transit between opposite sides of a city. This is not only convenient for drivers but also helps connect the city&#8217;s most remote areas with those closer to the centre. Moreover, bridges play a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":485,"featured_media":2978,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1113],"tags":[3358,3356,3353,3360,3361,3337,3362,3357,3330,3355,3327,3336,3351,3352,3334,3359],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[22],"moimportance":[29,30,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-4345","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovations","8":"tag-bridge-creation","9":"tag-bridge-history","10":"tag-bridge-in-vancouver","11":"tag-bridges","12":"tag-canadian-bridge","13":"tag-canadian-innovation","14":"tag-city-bridge","15":"tag-famous-bridge","16":"tag-innovation","17":"tag-innovation-in-vancouver","18":"tag-innovative-canada","19":"tag-innovative-vancouver","20":"tag-old-bridge","21":"tag-vancouver-bridge","22":"tag-vancouver-innovation","23":"tag-vancouver-innovations","24":"motype-eternal","25":"moformat-longrid-korotka","26":"moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","27":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","28":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/485"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4345"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4345\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4359,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4345\/revisions\/4359"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4345"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=4345"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=4345"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vancouver-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=4345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}