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Westham Island Bridge work expected to begin in September

TransLink is providing further details when rehabilitation work is expected to begin on the Westham Island Bridge. A transportation authority spokesperson said they expect to award the contract by the end of August.
Westham Island Bridge
Westham Island Bridge

TransLink is providing further details when rehabilitation work is expected to begin on the Westham Island Bridge.

A transportation authority spokesperson said they expect to award the contract by the end of August. Work is expected to begin in September and continue until spring 2019, but construction details are still being finalized.

“Plenty of notice will be given before construction begins, but people can expect daytime and overnight closures beginning in the fall. We have worked closely with the Delta Farmers’ Institute and the City of Delta to minimize the impact of closures, especially during the farming season. Several overnight closures will be scheduled between September and November,” the spokesperson explained.

“After Nov. 1, overnight and short and long daytime closures will be necessary. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the bridge with an escort while work will stop should emergency vehicles need to cross.”

Over a century old, the historic bridge is being rehabilitated as part of the TransLink Maintenance and Repair Program to keep it safe and operating. Work involves repairing and replacing components across the entire bridge. That work includes piles and pile caps, floor beams and stringers below the deck, deck and handrail, swing mechanism and coating of steel components.

The swing bridge officially opened on March 29, 1910 and is the oldest of the five bridges TransLink owns and operates. It’s also the narrowest TransLink bridge and one of few remaining bridges containing wood components in Metro Vancouver.