Repairs on the Brig O'Johnston Bridge have been completed and the bridge is open to traffic

The bridge was closed on July 12 after a heavy vehicle damaged the bailey structures leaving residents in the Boatfalls and Glenn Martin area facing a lengthy detour for almost a month.

Cafe Boatfalls Treasures was forced to close its doors due to a lack of trade and celebrated the re-opening over the weekend with special deals for customers.

Mother and daughter duo Tracey and Taleah Kalisz were ecstatic to see their customers return.

"We're seeing so many familiar faces. One of our regulars who comes Wednesdays and Fridays, he was straight back here," Taleah said.

"It was beautiful to see his face, it's been a long month.

"It just made us smile how many familiar faces came... It's made us really happy and we appreciate everyone coming in. It's the busiest we've been through the whole month."

The duo was forced to reduce trading hours and even had to fire staff when the bridge closure saw their takings reduce dramatically.

The business then had to close its doors over the uncertainty surrounding the bridge repair timeline.

Taleah was proud the business was open again and they were back doing what they loved.

"I feel proud of us. It's still a scary outlook for the business. We need to build again, start over," she said.

"We've got to build up our brand again."

Despite this, confusion still surrounds the proposal to build a new Clarence Town Bridge.

Cr Connors said Dungog Shire Council received $14.3 million from the state and federal governments over 2020 and 2021 to construct a new Clarence Town Bridge.

"With the change in governments the funding was never provided, and since then increases to materials and labour has left us with a $4.86 million shortfall even if we were to receive the funding now," he said.

Now there is an independent strategic review of the federal government's infrastructure investment program, Cr Connors is uncertain if the contribution to the project will eventuate.

A Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts spokesman said the federal government has committed $8.8 million towards the Clarence Town Bridge project.

He said the government would not consider allocating any extra money until after the review was finished.

"The review is being undertaken within 90 days and the reviewers are engaging with relevant government and industry stakeholders to assess projects' and deliverability in the current economic climate," the spokesperson said.

"The government will not preempt the recommendations of the independent review and will consider the recommendations when it is completed."

Mr Layzell said he would push for the federal government's contribution.