Travelers trying to get onto Whidbey Island using the Mukilteo/Clinton Ferry can expect 3-hour delays into Friday evening.

Marta Coursey, spokesperson for Washington State Ferries, said the system is today starting to see an increase in traffic beyond normal holiday congestion due to the Skagit River bridge collapse that occurred between Burlington and Mount Vernon Thursday evening.

“It’s been a slow increase throughout the afternoon,” she said Friday. “Three hours ago (about noon) it was normal holiday traffic.”

“We’re seeing an increase in delays.”

An alert was issued just after 3 p.m. today informing travelers the wait at the Mukilteo terminal is 3 hours.

Coursey said the South Whidbey ferry route is one of the only ways to get to the Anacortes peninsula right now without going through the collapse area.

“It’s going to back up traffic for a long time,” she said. “It’s the sun. It’s how people are getting onto the peninsula.”

If motorists must use the ferry, Coursey suggests traveling during non-peak times.

Traffic is anticipated to be heaviest going westbound, or onto the island, through this evening and eastbound, or off the island, late Sunday and Monday.

To check on ferry wait times and when the best time to travel is, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/