The Lions Gate Bridge is one of the most famous structures in Vancouver.
It's so famous that a film production company named itself after it.
Built in the 1930s by the Guinness family, it was a feat of Canadian engineering. It was such a big deal that King George and Queen Elizabeth opened it in 1939 (though it had been in use since 1938).
At the time Lions Gate Bridge was designed and built the City of Vancouver had under 300,000 citizens. The North Vancouvers had about 13,000 people, and West Vancouver under 5,000 (they'd just got their first police car).
In other words, the gigantic two-lane bridge was sufficient for the traffic of the day.
A third lane was added in the 1950s as the city grew. In 2001 a huge replacement project took place, but didn't add any new lanes. In 2025, it's fair to say the bridge is often jammed up with traffic.
Famous as a gateway to the Pacific and Asia for those travelling by ship, the bridge is not only an essential piece of infrastructure, but also a popular tourist site.
But not everyone loves the local icon.
"Who cares how 'pretty' the bridge is if you can't cross it"
The vast majority of negative online reviews of the nearly 90-year-old Lions Gate Bridge touch on traffic, but there is a wide variety of takes. Here are some of them (presented as-is and unedited).
One of the most basic is this 2-star rating from TripAdvisor user go-mhrv.
"Its just a bridge," reads the review's title, which goes on to say "unless you are really into bridges, this is just an average looking and driving experience - often full of traffic."
On the same wavelength is Jay C from Bend, Oregon, another TripAdvisor user.
"It's a bridge," starts the 1-star review. "I keep getting asked for a review of this place I've been. So here goes, it is a bridge. It goes over water from Vancouver to West Vancouver. Sometimes it's a pain due to traffic."
The variety of comments on traffic ranges from the simple and relatively fair criticism to hilarious to some more unusual takes. Several note that as a sight it's great, but crossing the bridge is not as pleasant.
"I live in Houston, which has a lot of traffic," reads part of a review from Stacyma2016. "But never in my life have I see such congestion without recourse to any solution. Who cares how 'pretty' the bridge is if you can't cross it. This was not an accidental occurence but a daily one."
A local, Kev1963, has a similar take.
"Guess a three lane bridge is an attraction," reads the review. "As long as you are not stuck in traffic it is pretty but sometimes the traffic makes you want to jump."
Here's Yelp user Eddie C of California: "I don't live in Vancouver but if I did and I had to cross this bridge regularly it would drive me insane. Two stars for being a pretty bridge," reads his review.
Sawyer Patterson raises concerns about the barrier the busy bridge creates to important sustenance:"Too much traffic! I just want to get my poutine from costco. 😡😡😡," reads the Google review.
"Who was the idiot that built this bridge?"
Some blame the builders and designers for the issues.
On Google, Stacey Willows would like to talk to the firm of Monsarrat and Pratley, the partnership that designed the bridge (both Monsarrat and Pratley have been dead for at least 65 years).
"I question whoever designed this bridge," reads the review. "i mean it’s pretty to look at but not functional in the slightest. the lane system is beyond stupid and it’s not sufficient for the volume of traffic crossing it everyday."
"I want to know who was the idiot that built this bridge?" asks Betsy Martinez on Google reviews. "The Lions Gate Bridge is a nightmare for drivers. With only three lanes, the traffic flow is completely inconsistent—sometimes two lanes are available in one direction, and other times only one."
"Why would anyone have the lack of foresight to build a three lane bridge connecting Vancouver with North Vancouver?" is the title of Bob S.'s longer review on TripAdvisor.
Marybolandoyle on TripAdviosr also blames past city planners.
"Unbelievable useless mutable lane, needs expansion 20 years ago. This is a living breathing testament to poor planning," reads her review.
"It's a great place to sleep, though, since you won't be moving any time soon," she adds.
Some pedestrians and cyclists also take issue with the bridge and its 1.5 km length.
In a lengthy review Elgan M. took to Yelp to raise concerns.
Read Elgan M.'s review of Lions Gate Bridge on Yelp
It's not clear how one might shorten the bridge.
The interactions between cyclists and pedestrians are also a concern for several; Charles Lacoursiere says "walking it was a pain because of how narrow it was for bikes and pedestrian combined."
Many take their traffic frustration out on the bridge. Matt Tompkins calls Lions Gate Bridge "one of the worst bridges in history," Sarah Hnytka describes it as "Slower than a turtle stuck in peanut butter," and Franz Winterstein simply states "Not good at all" on Google.
"Would give 0 stars if I could"
Despite its iconic stature and status as a National Historic Site, Scott Wareing has had enough.
"Obsolete relic. Needs replacing asap," reads his Google review.
Jimmy B of Vancouver agrees on Yelp.
"It may have been a great bridge in the 1930s but now in the 21st century it simply does not work anymore," reads the review.
Mattea Di Iorio offers a solution on Google.
"A 3 lane bridge??? Cut down some trees and make it 4," reads his 1-star review. "The worst bridge in the city. Would give 0 stars if I could."
