The Westham Island Bridge in Delta remains closed following a recent collision with a boat, leaving around 200 residents stranded as it is their sole connection to the community. The incident occurred earlier this week when a barge struck the swing bridge, causing significant damage and necessitating the closure. As a result, pedestrians are currently the only ones able to traverse the bridge.
TransLink had initially hoped to swiftly complete repairs; however, an updated evaluation by a structural engineer has indicated that the reopening is not imminent. According to TransLink spokesperson Thor Diakow, evaluations are ongoing to assess the extent of the damage before repair work can commence.
In the wake of the closure, Delta Mayor George Harvie emphasized the urgent need to find alternative transportation solutions for transporting goods and produce to and from the predominantly agricultural island. Among these concerns is the necessity of ensuring emergency response services can swiftly access the community in case of emergencies.
The cause of the barge collision with the Westham Island Bridge, a historic structure over a century old, remains undisclosed at this time.