Watch the Lions Gate Bridge being built in this amazing archive video

The Lions Gate Bridge is one of our favourite spots in Vancouver – and now archive video has popped up online revealing the bridge’s impressive origins in 1937.

The video, posted by YouTube user BC History, shows the construction and building of the stunning suspension bridge – set to some appropriately dramatic music.

Also featured is the building of the Stanley Park Causeway, a rare sight in archive footage, which usually focuses on the admittedly more glamorous bridge.

See also

• This skiers vs. snowboarders archive video is a hilarious throwback to 1985
• Archive video of 2nd killer whale ever in captivity surfaces
• 1970s Vancouver tourism video shows evolution of city

The Lions Gate Bridge opened on November 14, 1938, after a year and a half of construction at a cost of more than $5 million (largely paid by the Guinness family.)

It was a huge undertaking. The main span of the suspension bridge alone was 473 m; the total length of the bridge including the north viaduct was 1,823 metres.

Today, of course, a trip over this Lions Gate Bridge comes complete with traffic congestion, but it was a very different story back in 1938.

Not only were there no long lineups, there was also a toll booth on the North side, where drivers could stop and chat to the attendant for as long as they pleased.

Ah imagine that. Happy viewing!