29 October 2026 · Updated
When did the Lions Gate Bridge open?
The Lions Gate Bridge opened for public use on 12 November 1938, on foot. Cars followed two days later; the ceremony and the royal drive came in May 1939.
Lions Gate Bridge, live 24/7.
Where history meets its digital twin. A museum without walls, built from data and growing with every minute: from the first crossing in 1938 to the traffic on it now.
Bridge traffic now
The current bridge delays and the state of the centre lane are on the traffic page.
The bridge on its birthday night · Artist’s impression© Lions Gate Bridge Museum · lionsgatebridge.org
Stories
8 November 2026
Charles Marega, the man who made the Lions Gate Bridge lions
6 November 2026
The 25-cent toll on the Lions Gate Bridge, 1938–1963
5 November 2026
Who was first across the Lions Gate Bridge in 1938?
Gallery
A Year at the Narrows
Twelve moments in the life of the Lions Gate Bridge, one for each month. Every scene is an artist’s impression, painted with the sun, moon and stars where they truly stand at that time of year. Free 4K wallpaper downloads.
Wallpaper download links- Jan · A Moon Over the NarrowsA full moon lifts out of the east as twilight lingers on the North Shore snow. Below, the Lions Gate Bridge draws its own line of light across the water.
- Feb · Rose Gold on the PeaksThe last low sun turns the snow on the North Shore mountains to rose gold, while the water below the Lions Gate Bridge keeps the cool blue of evening.
- Mar · Equinox SunsetOn the day when light and dark are nearly even, the sun slips away due west and leaves the whole sky glowing above the Lions Gate Bridge at First Narrows.
- Apr · Blossom SeasonCherry blossom frames the Ambleside shore in West Vancouver while the evening sun lights the Lions Gate Bridge from behind us.
- May · Golden Hour at Prospect PointLate May stretches the evening at Prospect Point, and the low gold light finds every cable, tower and tree around the Lions Gate Bridge.
- Jun · Longest DayAt the summer solstice the sun lingers until after nine, and its reflection runs straight across the water to your feet, with the Lions Gate Bridge beyond.
- Jul · Under the BridgeA cruise ship slides beneath the span of the Lions Gate Bridge at First Narrows in the long light of a July evening, bound for the harbour.
- Aug · Meteors Over the NarrowsIn the deep of an August night, meteors streak across the Milky Way while the Lions Gate Bridge wears its necklace of lights.
- Sep · Harvest Moon RisingA nearly full moon steps over the eastern horizon above Burrard Inlet while the sun behind us is still gilding the shore and the Lions Gate Bridge.
- Oct · Maples at Prospect PointLate October gold frames the view at Prospect Point: bigleaf maple leaves in the foreground, the old green Lions Gate Bridge behind them.
- Nov · Birthday NightOn the Lions Gate Bridge’s birthday the lights shine over First Narrows, while a full moon rides high just out of the picture.
- Dec · First SnowFresh snow on the shore and the North Shore mountains, and a low winter sun that never climbs far above the Lions Gate Bridge and the Narrows.
