Tours to the top of Lions Gate Bridge under consideration, says B.C. government

The B.C. government is intrigued by a company's proposal for guided tours to the top of the Lions Gate Bridgebut cautions that a number of things would need to happen for it to come to fruition.

"It's something that's done around the world," said Transportation Minister Todd Stone on Monday, three days after they published theirintent to work with Legendworthy Quest Inc.for a tourism business on the Lions Gate Bridge.

"The Ministry of Transportationis not in the business of tourism as its primary mandate, however, when you receive unsolicited proposals, there's an interest to take a look if this could work."

The proposal by Legendworthy Quest would see peopleclimb inside the bridge's pillars, using ladders already in place, before arriving at an obstructed platform at the top of the bridge.

Stone said the government received the proposal some time ago and negotiations have been ongoing, but that other companies can formally object and submit their own bid by March 17.

"It's essentially saying to the market, to the province, the world that this is an opportunity we are exploring with this particular vendor. If there are any other proponents out there potentially interested in offering a similar type experience we would entertain those proposals."

LegendworthyQuest is an organization founded in December 2014 byKevin Thomson, who helped launch the GranFondo Canadabike series.

The Ministry of Transportation said the company is "uniquely qualified and hasthe very specialized expertise to operate this adventure tourism operation."

Safety, revenue sharing need to be addressed

Stone said any bridge climbing proposal would have to ensure that vehicles crossing the Lions Gate which averages upwards of 60,000 vehicle crossings every day would not be distracted by customers.

"We'd have to continue to be convinced that there'd be no safety issues whatsoever," he said.

"Wecan only move forward with this kind of unique tourism opportunity ifthe existing traffic on the bridge is not distracted in any way shape or form. That's the most overriding concern here."

The costhas been estimated at around $250 per personand Stone said a revenue-sharing agreement would need to be arranged, with proceeds benefiting the refurbishment of the bridge, which was originallyopened in 1938 by theGuinness family.

Finally, Stone said other jurisdictions, including the Vancouver Park Board, would need to approve the project.