According to a press release this afternoon, Caltrans signed the long awaited final environmental permit for the Willits bypass. Caltrans says the $200 million project will relieve congestion, reduce delays, and improve safety for traffic passing through Willits, eliminating the only stop lights on US 101 between San Francisco and Eureka.  

The bypass will still need to receive funding but that is believed to be not much of an issue. Caltrans will be going before the California Transportation Commission on March 28-29 to ask for the funding needed for construction.

“We are very pleased to be moving forward with this important project”, said Charlie Fielder.  “Not only will we be constructing a bypass to help alleviate traffic congestion and delay on Route 101 through Willits, this project is also providing the opportunity for significant environmental restoration in the Little Lake Valley.”

Below is a map of the bypass.  Closeups of the area can be seen here.