Second Narrows Bridge in Vancouver, BC

[JulieD]

Are there two bridges at Second Narrows or just one? I'm not talking about the one at First Narrows in Vancouver. I'm talking about the one (or two) at Burnaby. The chart (3311) seems to show two but when I google images I only see one.

Is there one for a road and one for a railway?

The chart (3311) shows a clearance of 46 meters when open and 11 meters closed. But it only shows the clearance for the CN Railway Bridge. If there is a roadway bridge, what is the clearance? It is as high as the raised railway bridge?

I was thinking of going up to the Port Moody / Indian Arm area and want to make sure there is enough clearance for my mast (about 65' above the water).

Thanks your your help.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by JulieD

Are there two bridges at Second Narrows or just one? ...
... Is there one for a road and one for a railway? ...

There’s 2 bridges at the Second Narrows (Burrard Inlet).

There's a (lifting) Railway bridge, and the famous Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing.

➥ Two Bridges. Second Narrows and old railroad bridge - view from Burnaby Heights - a photo on Flickriver

[JulieD]

Thanks! Looking at that picture, it appears that there is plenty of air space between the water and the bridge.

[GordMay]

Like the Lions Gate Bridge (First Narrows), the Iron Workers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing Bridge are both VERY HIGH. When in the down position the clearance of the Second Narrows Railway bridge is only 10.7m (35 Ft.). If you need the railway bridge lifted, you will have to contact the bridge operator on VHF channel 12.

[DRS]

Second narrows has 2 bridges. The first, Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, is a highway bridge and is tall enough for freighters to clear the second located almost immedaitely east of it is a railway with a lift span. I'm not sure what the minimum clearance is but at 60 feet tall I need it lifted to go through. They monitor channel 12 on the VFH and a quick call will get you a lift or if a train is scheduled they will let you know when they can.

[highseas]

Occasionally that rail bridge doesn't open when you want it to,usually it is up,make sure you call well ahead because sometimes the current can run 10 knots.I have heard of others having close calls, including myself.

[Capt Phil]

Highseas cautionary comment on the railway bridge beside the Second Narrows/Ironworkers Memorial bridge at the eastern end of Vancouver Harbour is a good one. At full flood or ebb the tidal exchange under the bridges can be quite fierce, particularly if you are in a sailboat. Give your self lots of time to contact the Bridge Master and give him an ETA. He can let you know of any rail traffic headed towards the bridge from either direction. The Second Narrows bridge was renamed after about 20 Ironworkers fell to their death during the replacement construction of the original Second Narrows bridge back in the 60's or 70's. All of Vancouver was touched by this tragedy.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

... The Second Narrows bridge was renamed after about 20 Ironworkers fell to their death during the replacement construction of the original Second Narrows bridge back in the 60's or 70's. All of Vancouver was touched by this tragedy.

Indeed, all of Canada was touched.

Begun in November 1957, and built alongside the older bridge, construction of the current Second Narrows Bridge, was marred by four separate incidents costing the lives of twenty-five men.
The worst occurred on June 17th, 1958, when a large section of the bridge span collapsed into the inlet, taking about 79 workers down. Eighteen of those workers and one recovery diver died.

The opening of the new bridge finally took place on August 25, 1960.

I still remember watching, on TV news from Winnipeg, the ambulances coming & going in the dark, that night. The sight & sound was haunting.

More ➥ The Ironworkers Memorial Bridge Collapse

[memory-maker]

Hi I'm heading up Indian Arm next week leaving from Victoria likely crossing at Porlier Pass to English Bay and up the Vancouver Harbor if anyone has local knowledge they can share it would be appreciated. I've been told rapids at Second Narrows can be a challenge. Our first stop is False Creek for a couple days so we can time the tides, I'm thinking slack to start of flood tide is the window? I'll eye ball the height and get back to you. Memory-Maker

[Capt Phil]

It is a picturesque run up Indian Arm, memory-maker. I grew up in the area and back in the 70's was one of the first boats in Reed Point Marina, just west of Port Moody. There is a fairly good chandlery there as well as fuel. Just go straight ahead after passing under the bridges. Watch your depth as you pass the marina, it shallows a few hundred meters down towards Port Moody and a shelf runs out quite a ways in to the channel on the northern side.
Hang a left and you will find yourself heading up Indian Arm... on your left there is a sweet little cove to anchor in but rather deep water. As you progress up the arm, on the right hand side is Bedwell Bay, another nice spot to spend over night but use caution when anchoring as there are a few large cables lyng on the bottom left over from the 60's when there a number of old Canadian navy and merchant vessels mothballed there.
At the top end on the Arm is Wigwam Inn with a truly checkered past. i believe it is an RVYC out station now but in the past in has been a hotel, brothel, casino and private estate. A phone call to RVYC will confirm if berthage is available. There is a beautiful waterfall on the other side of the arm from Wigwam Inn where fresh water is available... just take a jerry can ashore.
Some of this info might be a little dated but hope it gives you a general idea of what to expect... cheers, Capt Phil

[memory-maker]

Hi Capt Phil
Thanks for the skinny on Indian Arm. Your recommendations will help us plan our week. Memory Maker is the name of our boat if you're on the water in that area and see us June 18 - 26.
Geoff

[memory-maker]

We had a great week exploring False Creek, Burrard Inlet up to the end of Indian Arm. Thoroughly enjoyed hanging out at anchor in Deep Cove for a couple days. There's lots to do there, hiking, kayaking, water skiing, little bit of shopping, a theater and restaurants. The end of Indian Arm is a day trip from Deep Cove. At this time of year the various water falls were running full creating quite a show. Second Narrows wasn't the challenge I'd been led to believe. For the sail boater who asked about the clearance, call ahead on Channel 12 and the bridge master will raise it. Memory Maker

[Capt Phil]

Glad you had a great cruise up there, memory-maker... probably not much wind but very picturesque and relatively untouched country which is surprising so close to a big city. Where are you headed next? CP

[memory-maker]

Our next longer trip isn't until mid Aug when we'll do the lower Gulf Islands with some friends from Kelowna. We may get a weekend in if there's a break in the boat's charter schedule. We charter the boat out through Cooper's Boating out of Sidney. Memory Maker