COQUITLAM — If your commute revolves around the Braid Street Bailey bridge, your world is now close to whole.

As of 2 p.m. Friday (Feb. 22), the Braid single-lane bridge was back open to traffic.

Though it may be good news for cars, it’s not such good news for big trucks.

According to a press release from the City of New Westminster, load restrictions are in effect with vehicle traffic restricted to 15 tonnes.

The press release noted with the new restrictions, no heavy commercial trucks are be permitted to use the bridge. New Westminster police will be enforcing the new load restrictions and will be monitoring the area for infractions.

The single-lane Bailey bridge that connects United Boulevard in Coquitlam to Braid Street in New Westminster was shut down on Feb. 10 after structural issues were discovered during an inspection.

Repairs on the bridge began this week, with both municipalities splitting the estimated $30,000 tab.

But the recent closure of the bridge has reopened an old debate between the two cities on what to do with the crossing in the long term.

Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart said the city has proposed to its counterpart in New Westminster the installation of a second single-lane or two-lane bridge at the location to open up the area to two-way traffic.

He estimated the second bridge could cost a couple of million dollars.

And if cost is a problem for New Westminster, Stewart said the City of Coquitlam would be willing to pay for and maintain it in lieu of maintaining the current structure.