Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting the failure in the first link, the first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device using an unused portion of a second link connecting a second PCIE bridge and a second IO device.