The decision to construct was actually put to the electorate of Vancouver in 1927 and was initially defeated. Citizens were concerned that the new bridge would damage or ruin Stanley Park, cause problems for the busy seaport or take away too much toll revenue from the Second Narrows Bridge.
The City ALMOST replaced the bridge in the 1990s.
The bridge needed to have significant upgrades that would be close to the cost of building a new bridge. A second bridge was planned to be built beside the Lions Gate, but the city decided to do basic upgrades instead.
Lions Gate bridge had a toll!
A toll of 25 cents was charged for each car that used the bridge until the toll was removed on April1, 1963.