FARMINGTON — The Whittier Road reopened to traffic shortly after noon Tuesday, earlier than expected.

The lower section of the road near Route 156 closed during the Sandy River bank stabilization project to repair erosion caused by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. The erosion threatened collapse of the Whittier Road, causing a weight limit posting and closing one lane. The road around the bank work was closed to all traffic earlier this month.

A work zone will still be in place while trees are planted but both lanes will remain open, Town Manager Richard Davis said.