Lions Gate Bridge Conundrum.

[Seangie]

Do you call in to weigh stations that say "trucks and commercial vehicles must enter"

Exactly. 

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[luvrbus]

Trucks always used the bridge up till 2000 when they started working on it and put a ban trucks,it helped with traffic so much I guess they left the ban in place

[Dave5Cs]

Think about how many cars at one time stuck in traffic and a bunch of Commercial trucks just under 28K# on the bridge at one time waiting. Engineers have to figure those kinds of weights in heavy winds etc and build accordingly. So I say go for it and I would also make sure you each have a fishing pole and inflatable jackets!...Just in case Just sayin...

[eagle19952]

This chart says that there is a bus and HOV lane on that bridge. and a phone number to call..
https://vancouver.ride-share.com/en/my/mytext.php?section=hov

Occupancy Requirements:

Roadway
Location
Occupancy
Trans Canada   Burnaby/Coquitlam   2+
Barnet Hastings   Burnaby   2+
Willingdon Ave.   Burnaby   6+
Route 7a   Burnaby/Port Moody   2+
Highway 99   Delta   Bus and 3+
Highway 17   Delta   Bus and 3+
Pitt River Bridge   Pitt Meadows   3+
Russ Baker Way   Richmond   3+
Granville Street   Vancouver   3+
Georgia Street   Vancouver   3+
Lions Gate Bridge   Vancouver   Bus and 8+
McGill Street   Vancouver   Bus Only
Hastings   Vancouver   Bus Only
Mountain Highway   North Vancouver   Bus Only
To use HOV lanes properly, you need the required minimum number of vehicle occupants and you need to know how to operate safely in the lanes - in the city and on the freeway. For more information, please contact: Ministry of Transportation and Highways (604) 660-8300.

[lostagain]

I drove tour buses for Vancouver Grayline the summer of '79. We drove over the bridge every day. More recently, seismic and widening upgrades have been going on. Transit buses use the bridge still. I cannot find anything specific about non commercial/RV regulations. I get the sense that you could drive over it.I would. But I am a renegade outaw. But you are on your own if you get pulled over by the police, haha.

JC

[niles500]

I went over it by accident, stayed at the RV park under it. It is a pain to get to N Vancouver the other way.

Go to the zoo/aquarium at Stanley Park, the Beluga whales dance on their heads and blow 'air' rings (like smoke rings) out of their mouths, and they'll let you hold a Sloth.

[Timkar]

From part of the MVA

9 The following apply to and in respect of the First Narrows Bridge only:
(a) a person must not operate, on any part of the structure or its approaches, a vehicle having a gross weight in excess of 13 000 kg unless the vehicle is a bus as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act;
(b) a person must not operate a bicycle on the roadway of the structure or its approaches;
(c) a person must not operate, on any part of the structure or its approaches, a vehicle equipped with a tire chain or chains.

From what I have read, due to volume of traffic they do not want it to become a "truck route". Seen multiple transit buses on there at one time.

[bevans6]

I would go, I would say I'm not a truck nor a commercial vehicle, I'm an RV.  You're not really expected to look up statutes on the internet as you pull up to the bridge.

[bobofthenorth]

I wouldn't do it but it's got nothing to do with weight or regs - on that count I'm sure you're OK.  Taking your bus into Stanley Park is another matter. That's gonna be a gong show. Where do you plan to park? Maybe it would be doable in April or November but on Canada Day weekend? Good luck with that.

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[rgwilliams]

Call one of the BC Highways scales.  Here's the number for one in Surrey 604 538 1121.  I don't think you'll like the answer.

[Seangie]

I wouldn't do it but it's got nothing to do with weight or regs - on that count I'm sure you're OK.  Taking your bus into Stanley Park is another matter. That's gonna be a gong show. Where do you plan to park? Maybe it would be doable in April or November but on Canada Day weekend? Good luck with that.

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Bob - Itll be tuesday coming up.  This trip we went "toadless" so we only have our bikes.

Park is about 1-2 miles from where we are at. But its a mile of uphill over the bridge and the kids can do it on there bikes when they are fresh but are whining and walking by end of day. 

Kids wanted to go to the waterpark they have there and we thought it would be easier just to park the bus there in the AM and have a place to crash out and have lunch and dinner without having to ride the bikes over the bridge in wet bathing suits in the middle of the day.  More for convenience than anything.

In the morning the park is empty. Itll cost 22$ to park for the day on the main road right at the beach and waterpark.  Easy peasy.

-Sean

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[bobofthenorth]

I know the area well Sean. It sounds like you've scouted it and have a plan but getting back home across the bridge could still be a fustercluck. Have you checked out public transit? I think their buses all have bike racks. Vancouver is pretty good in regards to public transit and bicycle access.

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[Seangie]

Bob - traffic might be bad but we only have to go 2-3 miles.  Seems pretty straight forward getting on 99 from the park.

BTW - while sitting at the pool this AM I counted (5) 45' prevos and (1) MCI tourbuses going over the bridge.  So no worries.  We are going to do this. 

-Sean

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[eagle19952]

Bob - traffic might be bad but we only have to go 2-3 miles.  Seems pretty straight forward getting on 99 from the park.

BTW - while sitting at the pool this AM I counted (5) 45' prevos and (1) MCI tourbuses going over the bridge.  So no worries.  We are going to do this. 

-Sean

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if i read correctly..there is bus lane on that bridge.be a bus.

[Dave5Cs]

Sean if they stop you just show them this thread and they will be laughing so hard reading it they won't see you all sneaking off to get away!...
Dave