Westham Island Bridge in Delta Fully Closed to Pedestrians for Complex Repairs
Residents of Westham Island in Delta, British Columbia, are now facing a complete closure of pedestrian access to their only bridge connection to the mainland. TransLink, which owns and operates the Westham Island Bridge, announced that the structure will be fully closed to foot traffic starting Wednesday, February 4, 2024, at 9 a.m. This decision comes as part of ongoing complex repairs necessitated by significant damage from a tugboat collision on January 20.
Extended Closure and Water Taxi Implementation
The pedestrian closure is expected to last for several weeks, at minimum, as crews undertake continuous repair work without interruptions. TransLink emphasized that this full closure is a necessary trade-off to maximize efficiency and maintain safe work zones. During this period, residents will need to rely exclusively on a 24/7 water taxi service to travel on and off the island.
The water taxi will operate with departures and arrivals every 30 minutes from 4888 Savage Road on Westham Island to Wellington Point Park in Ladner. One-way trips are estimated to take between 10 to 15 minutes, depending on tidal conditions. For overnight travel between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., the service will switch to an on-call system, accessible by phoning 604-726-2423 in advance.
Repair Complexity and Community Impact
TransLink described the repair project as complex, involving critical activities such as pile driving to stabilize the bridge structure. The City of Delta has amended its noise bylaws to permit this work at any time of day, including overnight, to expedite the completion of repairs. While the bridge had been closed to vehicle traffic immediately after the incident, pedestrian access was initially maintained for residents to be shuttled into Ladner.
However, after assessing community feedback from meetings, on-site conversations, and emails, TransLink determined that a total closure was essential to accelerate the restoration process. The transit agency acknowledged that this decision brings added short-term inconvenience but prioritizes a quicker return to normalcy for Westham Islanders.
Safety Measures and Future Updates
Emergency crews will retain access to the bridge at all times during the closure. TransLink has committed to providing more accurate timelines as the project progresses and notifying area residents about any impacts. The agency noted that work might not always be visible on the surface, but critical repair activities will continue on or around the structure throughout the closure period.
In a positive development for the community, a precautionary boil-water advisory issued on January 23 has been lifted. Repairs to the water main serving the island have been completed, and testing has confirmed that the water is safe for consumption.
This extended closure underscores the challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure in coastal communities and highlights the collaborative efforts between TransLink and local authorities to address urgent repair needs while minimizing long-term disruptions.
