The state Department of Transportation will temporarily lower the speed limit for three miles on Highway 20 near Deception Pass to improve safety for drivers and construction workers.

The speed limit will be lowered from 50 mph to 40 mph — starting this morning

— from the Miller/Gibralter Road intersection to Meadow Creek.

State officials said several close calls in recent weeks between constructions workers and drivers prompted the change.

There was also a serious collision near Miller Road recently that sent two surveyors to the hospital and severely damaged both vehicles in the crash.

The speed limit near Meadow Creek has been temporarily reduced to 40 mph for the last year because of construction in the area.