The rehabilitation will create hundred of years of employment, as well as generate valuable contracts for local suppliers. The bridge deck replacement is scheduled to be completed in 2001. All rehabilitation work on the bridge will be done during night time closures. There will also be some weekend closures. Information on closures will be well publicized in advance of construction.
Engineers say the existing bridge is strong enough to sustain a medium-sized earthquake.
However, all structures built before 1977 do not meet current earthquake standards. The entire bridge will undergo a complete seismic upgrading as a component of the rehabilitation. During consultations on the Lions Gate Project many North Shore community groups opposed a third crossing if it had negative impacts on their neighbourhoods. The same opposition exists in Vancouver. The City of Vancouver is on record opposing any new traffic capacity into the downtown area.