Transportation was one of the major challenges of early West Vancouver life, and around the turn of the century the use of the car was increasing rapidly, creating more pressure to develop a proper road system. There had been an earlier attempt to create a connecting road across the North Shore, yet, the project had run out of steam before completion leaving only half finished trails. Part of the problem with West Vancouver’s lack of development was its lack of political autonomy at the time. West Vancouver was originally known as the West Capilano District, which was included as a part of the Municipality of North Vancouver. As a result, the smaller West Capilano District was unable to have their needs as a priority for the large North Vancouver Municipality. Autonomy was finally achieved in 1912 with the creation of West Vancouver’s own Municipality. One of the first issues handled by the newly formed Municipal council was to pass a by-law for a new east-west connector road for the North Shore. Construction for the road began in 1913 and was officially opened two years later.