Louise Bridge reopens to traffic after 2-week closure

Traffic is once again flowing smoothly through parts of Winnipeg after two weeks of detours and congestion.

TheLouise Bridge, which linksPoint Douglas and Elmwoodacross the Red River, reopened Saturdayafter being shut down for repairs and maintenance.

The span was originally supposed to reopen on Sept. 2 but the work was delayed by a run of rainy weather.

The 109-year-old steel truss bridgewas also closed for repair work in July after holes were discovered in the pedestrian walkway.

Thebridge has been on the city's radar for replacement for a decade now. It wasfirst earmarked in the 2009 capital budget, which described itas nearing the end of its useful life.

And then in 2011, the city's Transportation Master Planpegged itsreplacement as a top city infrastructure priority.

Currently the fate of the bridgeis tied to a forthcoming city decision about wherethe future EastTransitway a proposed bus corridor connecting downtown toTransconawill cross the Red River.

The city is studying ways to integrate a new Louise Bridge into thatplan.