DELTA, B.C. — Pedestrian access to the Westham Island Bridge in Delta will be fully closed starting Wednesday morning as crews continue weeks-long repairs to the century-old structure, according to Metro Vancouver transit authority TransLink.
To maintain connectivity for residents during the closure, TransLink says a 24/7 water taxi service will be in place between Westham Island and Delta’s Ladner neighbourhood.
The single-lane wooden truss bridge — the only direct link between Westham Island and the rest of Delta — has been closed to vehicle traffic since Jan. 20, when it was struck by a tugboat. The impact caused significant structural damage, prompting safety concerns that ruled out temporary fixes.
Westham Island, located west of Ladner, is home to farms, the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and the Alaksen National Wildlife Area. Local farm operators have warned the prolonged closure could severely affect agricultural operations, particularly during peak distribution periods.
TransLink spokesperson Anita Bathe said the full pedestrian closure is necessary to allow crews unrestricted access to repair the damaged section of the bridge.
“Emergency access will continue at all times, but we’ve heard clearly from residents and farmers that the top priority is getting this repair done as quickly as possible — even if that comes with short-term inconvenience,” Bathe said.
The water taxi will operate every 30 minutes, with on-call overnight service, between 4888 Savage Rd. on Westham Island and Wellington Point Park in Ladner. Each trip is expected to take 10 to 15 minutes.
In addition, TransLink confirmed that a free and accessible shuttle bus service will continue to operate between the bridge and the Ladner Exchange, alongside a separate free shuttle circulating on Westham Island.
To mitigate the impact on farmers, TransLink has allocated $1.2 million to the City of Delta to support barge operations for transporting agricultural goods, as well as securing warehouse space on the Ladner side for storage of products and equipment.
Bathe noted residents may experience increased construction noise during repairs and thanked the community for its patience.
Officials say the damage occurred to a critical structural component, making it impossible for the bridge to safely support interim pedestrian or vehicle access. Local authorities added that modern traffic demands exceed what the 116-year-old bridge was designed to handle.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating the collision. The tugboat involved, Quadrant Partner, is owned by a Coquitlam-based company. Quadrant Towing told CBC News it will not comment until the investigation is complete.
No timeline has yet been provided for the full reopening of the bridge.
