Fraser Street Bridge

Fraser Street Bridge was a road bridge crossing the north arm of the Fraser River in Vancouver with a two-lane design and a movable span section to allow water traffic to pass beneath it.

The bridge opened in 1894 and sustained damage from a major river flood that same year. It served traffic until 1974 when a newer bridge downstream took over its role.

The bridge tender hand-operated the swing span using simple tools until 1948, when the system became electric. This manual work was central to how the crossing functioned for over 50 years.

Crossing required care since heavy vehicles were restricted and automobiles had to proceed slowly at no more than 3 miles per hour. The narrow deck and moving span created specific challenges for drivers navigating the bridge.

Boat crews nicknamed navigating through its narrow channel 'Shooting the Gap' because the tight waterway presented real hazards. This colorful term reflected the difficulty experienced by those working on the river.

GPS coordinates: 49.19806,-123.09111

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:26