I recently learned that this bridge (called Burrard) was actually designed to have a railway right underneath it. That would have been really cool. Imagine having an electric streetcar under a bridge in the 1920s. What an incredible futuristic sight it would've been. Alas, it was not to be for a number of reasons like costs, technical challenges, practicality, and unsightly wiring.
In the image you can see that there is a structure underneath the bridge. This is the partially built support for the street rails. This bridge is particularly sturdy because it was going to accommodate the trolley. Vancouver would look even more futuristic if that had happened. What a trip! As it stands, the idea is now a relic of the past.
That would have been brilliant!! What a shame it didn’t work out – it was a great idea.
It would have looked great. The university is that way, so the students would've found it particularly useful.
Whoever came up with that is so brilliant.
It's a great idea. I wish it had been implemented.
A streetcar running under a bridge in the 1920s sounds like something out of a comic book. Shame it never happened, Vancouver would have looked wild. That half-built support is the best part.
That's exactly the technology in Vogue now, they were really ahead of time... That's nice.