Any time you start something new, there’s always a break-in period, to work out the bugs, so to speak.

And when it’s the $808-million Golden Ears Bridge, there will be a few. Such as the traffic jam that’s caused by the intersection that remains closed at Dunn Avenue near Maple Meadows Way.

Or the interminable thump that’s heard when cars drive over the expansion joints at the north end of the bridge.

While TransLink initially said nothing can be done about the noise, there could be a way to make it better for the residents who live below.

“That’s something they’re looking at. The main thing is getting this fixed so we don’t have the residents bothered by this ad infinitum,” said spokesman Drew Snider.

He added that’s a priority for TransLink, with sound engineers already working on it.

One possible solution would be to put noise barriers as used in the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state, said Snider.

But there are other solutions also being considered.

Pitt Meadows Mayor Don MacLean said he’s only had two complaints about the bridge, one relating directly to the noise from the expansion joints.

But overall the comments have been positive.

“People just can’t believe how fast they can get to places.”

Snider said the noise from the joints isn’t a surprise.

Acoustical engineers expected to study them once the bridge was built, he pointed out.

“The main thing is to find the solution that does the job, and that all depends on the nature of the problem and what it takes to fix it.

“We don’t know how long that job will take but they will work as quickly as possible. “

One three-way intersection at Barnston Road on the south side of the bridge is taking some adjustment as people get used to the signs, Snider said.

Apart from those however, that’s about it for the list of bugs to be fixed.

After opening to traffic June 16, Golden Ears remains toll free for less than two weeks. By July 16, you’ll be paying $3.90 each time you cross the bridge in your car or SUV if you don’t have QuickPass transponder and $2.75 if you do.

The interest in the gadgets, which ensure the vehicle gets the toll discount, has caught TransLink by surprise.

So far 12,000 orders have been received for the transponders. The transportation agency didn’t expect to reach that number until a year from now.

People are being advised there’s a two- to three-week waiting period for the devices, available at the Transroute International Canada office in the 12100-block of Harris Road. Motorists rent them for a dollar a month and a $10-security deposit. However, TransLink would prefer the transponders be ordered online.

According to the District of Maple Ridge, Dunn Avenue’s opening will be delayed a week to allow TransLink to figure out the traffic flow.

Consultants should give their recommendations on that in a week or two.

Meanwhile, the number of riders on the new bus route No. 595 which started June 22 connecting Langley downtown with Haney Place Mall has been “moderate to light,” said Derek Zabel with Coast Mountain Bus.

But that should change July 16 when vehicle tolls come into effect on the bridge. “So we do expect those loads to increase.”