| Burrard Bridge (1932) proposed City changes
 Completed in 1932 to provide a high-level crossing to the western neighbourhoods, Burrard Bridge is a triumph of civic architecture and a key gateway structure.
Since the early 1990s, the City of Vancouver has been looking at proposals to widen and alter the landmark Art Deco Burrard
Bridge. These proposals have ranged from turning lanes to increase traffic capacity, to cantilevered “outriggers” intended to increase pedestrian and cyclist capacity.
The most recent proposal is for extensions that would run outside the towers and pylons, a “girdle” or “belt” approx. six metres,
and the demolition of the original concrete
railings to be replace with metal railings,
increasing the total width of the Bridge by
eighteen feet.
Heritage Vancouver has consistently and
vocally opposed any widening of the
Burrard Bridge, as these interventions will
substantially destroy its heritage character.
Completed in 1932 to provide a high-level
crossing to the western neighbourhoods,
the bridge is a triumph of civic architecture
and a key gateway structure. Architects
Sharp & Thompson, conscious of the bridge’s
ceremonial ‘gateway’ function, embellished
the utilitarian steel superstructure with
imposing concrete towers, torch-like
entrance-pylons (that are a silent memorial
to the First World War), and art deco
sculptural details. Unifying the composition
are heavy concrete railings, originally topped
by decorative street lamps.
It is one of the
few Art Deco bridges in the world, and
has been internationally recognized as a
landmark historic structure.
We urge the City to consider alternatives
to these costly, intrusive and destructive
measures. Escalating construction costs have
likely pushed the costs of the outriggers way
up, possibly to the $50 million dollar mark
and maybe beyond.
There are other, better solutions.
What does Heritage Vancouver say?
We're proposing a new landmark pedestrian and cyclist bridge to facilitate crossing False Creek. As a world-class city surrounded by water, Vancouver deserves a bridge equal to London’s new Millennium Bridge.
A new separate bridge will:
• Leave the heritage Burrard Street Bridge intact
• Direct tax payer money to creating a new spectacular Vancouver landmark
• Create a memorable experience for pedestrians and cyclists as they stroll across the bridge, stop to take photographs and enjoy the scenery
The proposed plans are to widen the existing sidewalks
on the Burrard Bridge to approximately six metres in
order to provide improved pedestrian and cycling
facilities across False Creek.
Outriggers will:
• Destroy key aspects of the art deco Burrard Street Bridge;
• Demolish the original cement railings, to be replaced with metal;
• Direct MANY millions of tax payer dollars to defacing a work of art;
• Perpetuate a stressful experience for cyclists and pedestrians as they speed across the bridge to escape the noise and pollution of the cars.
 Download Heritage Vancouver's position on the Burrard Bridge here (PDF 132k)
Also, view our 2007 Top Ten Endangered entry for the Burrard Bridge here.
Mock-ups of the City proposed changes/options to the Burrard Bridge:
One city proposed option: all original cement railings are demolished on the entire bridge, replaced with metal railings, and the extended sidewalk contains a "pinch point" (sidewalk narrows through openings) as seen above. The extended sidewalk becomes a structure extending outside the current bridge structure.
Another city proposed option: all original cement railings are demolished on the entire bridge, replaced with metal railings, and the extended sidewalk wraps around the period balconies, hiding them, dramatically changing the bridges appearance. The extended sidewalk becomes a structure extending outside the current bridge structure.
Left: the "wrap around" option viewed from the ground. Right: the extended sidewalk (both original cement sidewalks and railings are slated for demolition, replaced with a lighter metal structure for both the sidewalk surface, and railings).
Photo mock-ups: City of Vancouver
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