The fate of the single-lane Bailey Bridge on Braid Street isn't a simple open and shut case.
Last Friday, the City of Westminster informed the community that the small bridge, that provides one-lane access between New Westminster and Coquitlam through the Braid industrial area, would be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. the following day. Following an inspection of the bridge on Saturday, the city announced that the bridge would remain closed until a repair could be made.
"It's just aging," said Coun. Betty McIntosh. "It's had an engineering assessment. They are looking at ways of shoring it up."
On Feb. 12, the City of New Westminster announced that the bridge is now open to bike and pedestrian traffic. The city hopes to know within the next few days when the bridge will fully reopen.
McIntosh said she recognizes that the bridge serves the industrial properties in the area, but wonders about its need.
"It was Coquitlam that demanded it be open," she said. "Coquitlam does nothing to help finance it."
The Bailey Bridge has been the source of past battles between the cities of New Westminster and Coquitlam, which have included arbitration and court appearances. At one time, the City of New Westminster closed a gate on its side of the bridge, preventing Coquitlam traffic from crossing the bridge.
