Westham Island’s only bridge is damaged, leaving farmers stranded. B.C. officials meet with the community to find urgent solutions.
Farmers Stranded as Westham Island Bridge Remains Closed
Delta, B.C. — A week after a barge struck Westham Island’s only bridge, local farmers are facing an unprecedented crisis, with no clear solution in sight. On Tuesday, TransLink and B.C. government officials will meet with residents to discuss the damage and potential solutions.
Delta Mayor George Harvie called the incident “a significant strike through a barge of significant size,” noting the uncertainty over the full extent of the damage. Since the accident, TransLink has barred all vehicle traffic across the bridge, cutting off the island from essential transport.
B.C. Agriculture Minister Steps In
B.C. Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham confirmed she will attend the public meeting to hear directly from the farmers. She called the situation a “crisis” for the island’s agricultural community, emphasizing the farms’ vital role in provincial food security.
“Westham Island is home to significant agricultural businesses that contribute enormously to our food economy,” Popham said. “I’ve been in daily contact with farmers and recently visited the island to see the situation firsthand. The province is working closely with Delta and TransLink to find immediate solutions.”
Farmers Struggle to Transport Perishable Goods
Cory Gerrard of Rod Swenson Farms described the ongoing logistical nightmare. “Delta has secured some barges to move product off the island, which helps, but it’s nowhere near enough. These are perishable goods, and time is critical,” he said.
Gerrard revealed that his farm managed to move only three loads in a week — the equivalent of a single day’s work under normal circumstances. Without rapid intervention, he fears the farms’ survival is at risk.
“If the bridge isn’t fixed or replaced soon, we can’t financially survive another year,” Gerrard warned. “There’s no future for us.”
Regional Impacts Could Be Severe
Seed producer Derek Mitchell echoed the urgency. “If we can’t ship our orders, it will affect farms across the Pacific Northwest and California,” he said. Mitchell criticized the lack of provincial communication so far, adding, “Maybe they’ll notice when a $5 potato hits the grocery store.”
Both farmers stressed that Westham Island has hosted multiple family-run farms for nearly a century. Losing them would not only impact food production but also erase a legacy that spans generations.
Community Awaits Answers
Gerrard, a former commercial fisherman, questioned how the barge accident was allowed in the first place. “I don’t understand why anyone thought it could pass safely. Families are being ruined here,” he said.
With the meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, farmers hope officials will provide a timeline and actionable plan. “Just some answers would be good,” Mitchell said, emphasizing the urgency for clarity as planting season approaches.
