Slater Road to reopen to traffic today

Whatcom County Public Works officials announced Slater Road, closed for over 5 months between Elder Road and Lake Terrell Road, will reopen to all traffic at 4pm today.

The road was closed to allow for replacement of a deteriorating 10-foot wide by 7-foot tall steel arch culvert under Slater Road at Jordan Creek with a 140-foot span bridge.

On Monday, traffic through the work area will be reduced to one lane with flaggers in place to allow for some final tasks to be completed officials at the site today said. Drivers should expect some delays during that time.

The section of road is part of the primary route to the Phillips 66 refinery, Alcoa Intalco Works and the Sandy Point and Sandy Point Heights neighborhoods.

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A detour had been set up between Slater Road and Lake Terrell Road via Elder Road and Unick Road. Truck traffic from I-5 had been directed to exit I-5 at Grandview Road, go west to Kickerville Road and then head south on Kickerville to avoid the closure.

Businesses around the closure area reported losing business during the closure. Barlean’s Fishery Owner Mark Riedesel said he was very excited for business to return after seeing what he referred to as “a significant drop” during the project.

Drivers were also pretty happy about the news as this video created by one just moments after the opening shows.