NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Lions Gate Bridge was closed over the weekend, much to the surprise and dismay of residents and business owners here.

The B.C. Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA) formerly promised that the bridge wouldn’t be closed for any weekends in July or August. But an email was sent out at 1 p.m. Friday that announced the bridge, would in fact be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday until 4 p.m. Sunday.

“We are absolutely astonished that BCTFA has reneged on its commitment not to have any full or partial weekend closures in July and August,” local businessman, Stuart McLaughlin told local media.

Sue Kaffka, vice president of sales and marketing of Capilano Suspension Bridge, was also dismayed by the closure.

“We’re just absolutely devastated by this news. We’ve had so many meetings (with the bridge project office), and we’ve compromised all the way,” Kaffka told local media. “We’re already facing bridge closures Sunday night, Monday night, Tuesday night, Wednesday night, Thursday night. This is on top of the transit strike. It’s more than we can bear.”

For their part, Lions Gate Bridge officials released a statement, calling the weekend closure “non-typical.”