Bridge Projects

As part of our Maintenance and Upgrade Program, TransLink is rehabilitating components of the Knight Street Bridge until the end of 2023. This work includes deck bearing replacement, deck resurfacing, and cycling/pedestrian railing replacement. Work will take place primarily overnight and require some single-lane traffic closures.

Rehabilitation work will include:

• Bearing replacement
• Replacing original bridge bearings with new bearings to ensure continued integrity of the structure.
• Pavement rehabilitation
• Milling and repaving the top layer of concrete deck with polyester polymer concrete (PPC) overlay to prevent future corrosion.
• Railing replacement
• Replacing the railing separating vehicle lanes from the sidewalk to provide more protective separation between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Construction Information

Bearing replacement work is expected to be completed by summer 2023.

• This work will not impact traffic lanes or sidewalks; digital signs will indicate reduced speed for the safety of work crews.
• Work will take place primarily during the day; noise should not impact residential areas.

Pavement rehabilitation work is expected to be completed by fall 2023 and will require:

• Single-lane closures in both directions (weather-permitting)
• Weekdays from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
• Weekends from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Width restriction of 3.8 metres for commercial vehicles
• Intermittent ramp closures
• Bridge users and nearby businesses will be notified in advance of ramp closures

Railing replacement is expected to take place through fall 2023 and may require sidewalk closures.

• Cyclists and pedestrians will be detoured to the opposite side of the bridge throughout construction.

We thank bridge users for their patience as we work to ensure this vital crossing remains safe and reliable for years to come.

TransLink will be replacing deteriorated structural and mechanical components of the Westham Island Bridge swing span beginning early 2023. Construction is expected to take about five months and be completed in fall 2023. While we will make every effort to minimize impacts, marine passage below and vehicle passage across the bridge will be affected during construction.

Marine Impacts

• The swing span must be closed to marine traffic (cannot be swung open) until the construction work is completed and the temporary piles are removed.
• Work began in early January and is expected to finish in fall 2023.
• This Notice provides more information about the work and gives notice that an application has been made to the Minister of Transport as required by the Canadian Navigable Waters Act.
• Transport Canada has requested feedback on this work as it pertains to marine navigation.
• To provide feedback regarding marine navigation, please visit Transport Canada’s project search page and search the project registry number, 4456, to find the project page and comment option.
• Those without access to internet can send comments directly by mail to:
  #820-800 Burrard Street
  Vancouver BC, V6Z 2J8.

Bridge Traffic Impacts

As with all construction work, this schedule is subject to change. Please email westham.island.bridge@translink.ca if you have any questions or, would like to receive the most up-to-date bridge closure schedules.

For more information, please read the Westham Island Bridge Swing Span Rehabilitation presentation.

Weight Restriction

A temporary gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit of 40 metric tonnes (reduction from the current 50 metric tonne restriction) is now in place on the bridge. This load restriction is required for safety purposes while rehabilitation work continues on the bridge. This includes work to remove and replace the slew bearing and the floor beams and is estimated to take ten weeks (anticipated until late June).

During this period, no vehicles with a gross vehicle weight in excess of the restriction are permitted to cross unless otherwise exempted by TransLink. In addition to gross vehicle weight, axle loading and wheel base distance are significant and must also be considered.

Vehicle Exemption – Review Process

Subject to further review by TransLink, exemptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for certain oversized vehicle crossings. Requests can be emailed, a minimum of 7 days in advance, to Westham.Island.Bridge@TransLink.ca with the following information:

• Overall Dimensions to include the width, height, and length of the loaded and unloaded vehicle

• Drawing of loaded vehicle showing axle spacing, axle weights, wheelbases

Final Phase

• The final component of the project will be to remove the four temporary piles to re-open the marine channel.

• Timing and traffic impacts to be determined.

• As always, an emergency plan is in place at all times throughout construction to ensure emergency response can be provided.

• Pedestrians and cyclists will also be permitted to cross when safe and may be escorted by work crew for safety purposes.

Stay in Touch:

• Those who would also like to be part of the Westham Island Bridge Updates stakeholder list can send an email to westham.island.bridge@translink.ca to receive updates about the bridge.

• We thank you in advance for your patience while we prepare for this important work. This work will ensure the 113 year old Westham Island Bridge remains safe and operational for years to come.