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TransLink says repairs to a century-old bridge connecting Westham Island to the rest of Delta, B.C., that was damaged after a vessel strike on Tuesday, could now take weeks.
In a late-night bulletin on Thursday, TransLink, which owns the bridge, said an updated assessment from a structural engineer showed more significant damage than what was originally believed.
The bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic, but open to pedestrians. It’s the only access to Westham Island, which is home to a number of farms, the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Alaksen National Wildlife Area.
A farmer from the island told CBC News this week that an extended closure of the bridge would affect around a dozen families who rely on the bridge to move agricultural products on and off Westham Island.
TransLink said the original plan for repair is no longer possible and it still doesn’t know the full extent of the damage.
In addition to the damaged bridge, the City of Delta issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Westham Island residents on Friday after a leak was discovered in the watermain that runs underneath the bridge.
Crews will work over the next several days to do more detailed surveys and inspections.
TransLink said it does not have a set timeline for reopening the bridge to vehicle traffic, but repairs could take at least several weeks.
“We know residents and businesses need certainty, and we don’t want to provide a timeline until we can stand behind it,” read the Thursday bulletin. “Safety will continue to guide every decision as we move forward.”
TransLink said pedestrian access to the bridge will continue, with the transit authority working with the City of Delta to provide shuttle service and support.
Repairs were underway on the bridge on Wednesday. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
“We understand how disruptive and stressful this situation is for the Westham Island community, particularly for residents and businesses who rely on the bridge every day,” TransLink said.
The one-lane wooden truss bridge is more than 115 years old and is used by around 200 residents, according to TransLink. The authority said it had been in the early stages of replacing the bridge when it was struck Tuesday.
Boil water notice
On Friday night, a precautionary boil water notice was issued for residents of Westham Island, with the City of Delta saying residents should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and food preparation purposes.
“This advisory comes after a leak was discovered in the watermain that runs in the Fraser River underneath the Westham Island Bridge,” a statement from the city reads.
“The leak was identified during assessments of the bridge, following a marine vessel strike.”
The city says there’s no confirmed contamination in the water supply yet, and it is in the process of water quality testing.
It adds that bottled water will be delivered to residents at the foot of the Westham Island Bridge, on the side of the island, by 8 p.m. PT on Friday.
TSB investigating
On Friday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said it was sending staff to investigate the strike.
It said the vessel that hit the bridge was a tug named Quadrant Partner, and that the company that owns it is based in Coquitlam.
On its website, Quadrant Towing lists the Quadrant Partner as a 70-foot (21-metre) long shallow draft tug.
Due to an incident involving a marine vessel, the Westham Island Bridge remains closed to vehicles, as crews continue damage assessment and repairs. @CityofDeltaBC is providing shuttle service. Details: https://t.co/m28PFUFe2V ^CK
In a phone call with CBC News, the company said it would not comment on the incident until the investigation concluded.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline and rail transportation incidents to improve transportation safety. The board does not assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
