State approves $64 million to complete Willits bypass

The California Transportation Commission approved a $64 million Caltrans request to complete the Highway 101 bypass around Willits. The project, already two years behind schedule, is 50 percent complete.

Caltrans has run into a number of problems during the $210 million project, including protests and lawsuits. Some of the delays were due to Caltrans running afoul of permits needed to build in environmentally sensitive wetlands.

Opponents say the 5.9-mile road is unnecessary and environmentally damaging. Transportation officials say it is needed to ease a major bottleneck on the North Coast’s main thoroughfare. The bypass could save drivers 30 minutes and move traffic out of downtown Willits, officials say.

The two-lane highway is now slated to open in 2017. A second phase to widen the route to four lanes remains unfunded.