TRANSLINK said on Tuesday that over the past several days, it has heard clearly through community meetings, on-site conversations, and emails that the top priority is restoring the Westham Island Bridge as quickly as possible, even if that comes with added short-term inconvenience.
To support this priority, the bridge will be fully closed to pedestrian crossings starting Wednesday, February 4 at 9 a.m. The closure will remain in place for several weeks, and until further notice, so crews can carry out continuous repair work without repeated stops and starts. Emergency services will continue to have access to the bridge at all times.
The full closure is a necessary trade-off that allows crews to take advantage of every available efficiency and maintain safe work zones. On some days, work may not be visible from the bridge or shoreline, but critical activities will still be underway on or around the structure. For that reason, and because safety is the top priority, pedestrian access will remain closed even when it may appear that crossing could be possible.
During this closure period, water taxi service will be available 24/7 for access to and from the island:
- Departure and arrival locations:
- 4888 Savage Road (Westham Island)
- Wellington Point Park (Ladner)
- Travel time: approximately 10 to 15 minutes one way, depending on tidal conditions
- Frequency: every 30 minutes (with on-call overnight service)
- Phone: 604.726.2423 (call before heading to the dock from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.)
Pile driving will be required and will be noisy. This work is essential to stabilize the bridge and advance repairs, and the City of Delta has amended its noise bylaws to allow overnight construction. Pile driving is expected to start Wednesday, February 4 at 9 a.m. and will occur intermittently as work progresses, including overnight as needed to keep work on schedule. Timelines may vary depending on site and river conditions.
This is a complex project and, as conditions and plans shift regularly, some impacts may arise on short notice. As the next phase of work progresses, more accurate timelines will be shared. Additional community requests are also being reviewed, and updates will be provided as soon as details are confirmed.
More information:
Westham Island Bridge webpage
