FERNDALE - The city and Whatcom County are changing the official detour around the closed section of Slater Road where a bridge was damaged.

Beginning 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, drivers should take Main Street to Douglas Road, Imhoff Road and then to Slater. Detour signs placed at Main Street and First Avenue caused too much congestion during rush hour, prompting the change.

Work continues at the Nooksack River Bridge on Slater, where a tractor-trailer carrying an excavator struck support beams Saturday, Dec. 1. County officials determined that the bridge was unsafe for travel. Repairs will take weeks.

Drivers from the south are asked to take Marine Drive to Slater.

Officials hope the detour will bring business to Ferndale's struggling downtown.

"Ferndale officials would never pass up an opportunity to encourage drivers to spend some time there," a press release said.

SEE THE MAP

To see a map of the detour route, go to this City of Ferndale webpage.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-715-2289. Read the Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.