page_title: Second Narrows Bridge
section_title: Chronology of the bridges
hierarchical_section_title: Second Narrows Bridge / Chronology of the bridges
caption_attribution_description: First train over Second Narrows Bridge, automobiles and truck loaded with lumber
context_page_description: The Second Narrows Rail Bridge is a vertical-lift railway bridge that crosses the Burrard Inlet and connects Vancouver with the North Shore. The bridge's south end connects directly to the Thornton Tunnel, which connects it to the main Canadian rail network. As the name suggests, it is located at the second narrowing of the Burrard Inlet.
context_section_description: 1902 V. W. and Y Railway completed to Burnaby. Bridge Planned.
  1910 Burrard Inlet Bridge and Tunnel Company plans floated.
  1912 Land speculation on North Shore, subject to completion of bridge.
  1914 Railway to Deep Cove and Port Moody planned.
  1915 Market Collapse; P. G. E Railway bankrupt.
  1916 Causeway planned; Canadian Northern bankrupt.
  1925: A smaller, lower bridge is completed, than originally envisioned.
  1926: Trains began using the bridge.
  1927: A freighter, the Eurana, hits the bridge on March 10, causing almost $80,000 worth of damage.
  1928: Hit by the SS Norwich City.
  1930: The Losmar hits the south span.
  1930: On September 13, the barge Pacific Gatherer becomes wedged under the bridge's fixed centre span. The tide rose pushing the barge up under the span, knocking it off its supports. The span hung off one side before suddenly breaking free and sinking into the depths of Burrard Inlet. Lawsuits and the bankruptcy of the Bridge company delayed any attempt at repairs. The bridge remained closed for four years.
  1933: Sold to the Provincial government. Repairs began.
  1934: Reopened, replacing the bascule with a centre lift span.
  1963: Closed to highway traffic and sold to the CNR for $1.
  1968: New, larger lift bridge is built immediately to the east of the 1926 Bridge.
  1969: Thornton Tunnel is dug for CN trains to connect with line at Willingdon.
  1970: Old 1926 bridge is removed, as are cement piers.
  1979: October, Japanese freighter "Japan Erica" carrying logs collides with the bridge in heavy fog knocking a section of the bridge just north of the lift span into the water. The bridge is closed until March 4, 1980.
caption: The original Second Narrows Bridge in 1926
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