FERNDALE - Frequent travelers of Slater Road could get a gift just in time for Christmas.

Whatcom County officials report crews working seven days a week are making good progress repairing the Nooksack River Bridge on Slater, and the bridge could reopen within a week. The bridge's steel supports were damaged on Dec. 1, after being struck by a tractor-trailer carrying a high load.

Progress on repairs requires dry weather. Rain heavier than a mist shuts down the work, a county statement said.

Drivers have been advised to reach Cherry Point, the Lummi Reservation and other destinations west of the bridge by going through downtown Ferndale to the north, or taking Marine Drive from the south. Detailed detour information is available at whatcomcounty.us.

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