Road construction alongside Highway 20 near Deception Pass began two months ago in an effort to make a stretch of the road safer.

While owners understand the need to make the road safer, Lam’s Links and Nick’s Deception Pass Saloon have seen significant reductions in business because of access limitations.

Access to Lamb’s Links is particularly difficult since the intersection of Ducken Road and Highway 20 closed in early May.

“It’s been trouble,” said Terry Parker, who works at the nine-hole, par three golf course. With the closure, golfers had to detour by turning onto Troxell Road before turning left onto Monkey Hill Road and then accessing Ducken Road from the east.

Parker said the detour is confusing and some people often drive to Ala Spit because they didn’t see the turn. He added that people also turn around when they come to the road closure barricade on Ducken Road.

“I think they could have done more,” Parker said of the signs. To help his patrons out, he placed signs at the intersection of Troxell and Monkey Hill roads and on Ducken Road to help guide them to Lam’s Links.

He is not the only one seeing a drop off in business. The nearby Nick’s Deception Pass Saloon is also seeing reduced business.

Manager Eva Xenos said it’s been about half as busy since the construction project started. She did place large banners on her building to let people know the saloon is open. She also lost a significant piece of her parking lot to make room for the altered highway.

“It looks like the bar is in a war zone,” Xenos said.

Because her lot is smaller, motorists driving an RV or towing a boat don’t stop by like they used to.

Being in an area that has had numerous car accidents, both Xenos and Parker realize safety is important.

“I truly understand the need,” Xenos said, adding the access to the saloon could improve with the installation of a left turn lane.

Dave Chesson, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation, said the safety project is necessary because of the 51 accidents that have occurred on that stretch of Highway 20 over the past five years.

Lam’s Links had to move the mini golf course to make room for the construction project. He said the mini golf recently became operational again.

Parker would like to know when Ducken Road will reopen. He remembers seeing roadside signs saying the Ducken Road intersection on Highway 20 would open in July.

“I wish they’d hurry up and get this road done,” Parker said.

Chesson said the paving is running behind and should be complete in mid August. He said the delay stems from moving a 4,000 square-foot section of water pipe to parallel with the highway and the project should be complete this fall.

“We’re sensitive to the community’s needs and we’re doing everything we can to minimize the delay,” Chesson said.

The safety project is costing approximately $9.1 million. Construction crews are lowering Highway 20 near Ducken Road to improve sight distance for motorists. Crews are also aligning Ducken Road with Deception Circle. The project will permanently close Old Cornet Bay Road.