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Repairs to the Westham Island Bridge in Delta could now take several weeks after a marine vessel struck the structure earlier this week, according to TransLink.

In a late-night bulletin issued Thursday, TransLink said an updated assessment by a structural engineer revealed more significant damage than was first believed. As a result, the original repair plan is no longer viable.

The bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic but remains open to pedestrians. It is the only road access to Westham Island, which is home to several farms, the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Alaksen National Wildlife Area.

A farmer living on the island told CBC News that an extended closure could affect roughly a dozen families who depend on the bridge to transport agricultural products on and off the island.

TransLink said crews will spend the coming days conducting more detailed inspections and surveys to determine the full extent of the damage. While no firm timeline has been provided for reopening the bridge to vehicle traffic, the transit authority said 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,” TransLink said in its statement. “Safety will continue to guide every decision as we move forward.”

Pedestrian access will remain in place, and TransLink said it is working with the City of Delta to provide shuttle services and additional support for residents during the closure.

The one-lane wooden truss bridge is more than 115 years old and serves about 200 residents. TransLink noted it was already in the early stages of planning a replacement for the bridge when the vessel strike occurred.