REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES FINAL APPROVAL FOR WILLITS BYPASS
February 17, 2012
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced that final approval has been given to build the Willits Bypass. The approval permits were necessary for Caltrans to proceed with its plans to reroute a segment of U.S. Highway 101 around the city of Willits in Mendocino County.
“This bypass has been decades in the making,” said Thompson. “Two years ago the project appeared dead, but we worked with Caltrans, the Army Corps and community stakeholders day-in and day-out to revive the project. Now, I am proud to announce we will break ground this year. The bypass will improve air quality, relieve congestion, help folks save gas and improve local commerce. It is truly a win for our community.”
“The mood of the downtown merchants is that they are looking forward to having their Main Street back where they will have more control over the design of the streetscape,” said Alan Falleri, City of Willits Community Development, Redevelopment, and Economic Development. “They are happily anticipating street improvements that will create a sense of place, increase safety for all modes of transportation, provide a more attractive place to shop and result in increased property values; a win-win scenario for the entire community.”
“As the prospective stewards of the mitigation lands, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game, the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) is pleased to learn the USACE has approved the mitigation plans for the Willits bypass,” said Janet Olave, Executive Director of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. “MCRCD supports an ecosystems approach to conservation and we appreciate the efforts of all the agencies in ensuring these lands benefit the natural resources, and also continue to provide economic benefits to the community.”
The Willits Bypass Project is a freeway segment of U.S. 101 that would bypass the City of Willits with several bridges spanning creeks and local roads, a viaduct spanning the floodway, and interchanges on either end of the bypass.
Thompson has worked with local stakeholders on a compromise adaptive mitigation plan that balances the interests of the Willits community, the environment, and the agricultural economy. As a result, of the 1670 acres that would be impacted by the project, more than two-thirds will still be available for grazing.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“This bypass has been decades in the making,” said Thompson. “Two years ago the project appeared dead, but we worked with Caltrans, the Army Corps and community stakeholders day-in and day-out to revive the project. Now, I am proud to announce we will break ground this year. The bypass will improve air quality, relieve congestion, help folks save gas and improve local commerce. It is truly a win for our community.”
“The mood of the downtown merchants is that they are looking forward to having their Main Street back where they will have more control over the design of the streetscape,” said Alan Falleri, City of Willits Community Development, Redevelopment, and Economic Development. “They are happily anticipating street improvements that will create a sense of place, increase safety for all modes of transportation, provide a more attractive place to shop and result in increased property values; a win-win scenario for the entire community.”
“As the prospective stewards of the mitigation lands, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game, the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) is pleased to learn the USACE has approved the mitigation plans for the Willits bypass,” said Janet Olave, Executive Director of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. “MCRCD supports an ecosystems approach to conservation and we appreciate the efforts of all the agencies in ensuring these lands benefit the natural resources, and also continue to provide economic benefits to the community.”
The Willits Bypass Project is a freeway segment of U.S. 101 that would bypass the City of Willits with several bridges spanning creeks and local roads, a viaduct spanning the floodway, and interchanges on either end of the bypass.
Thompson has worked with local stakeholders on a compromise adaptive mitigation plan that balances the interests of the Willits community, the environment, and the agricultural economy. As a result, of the 1670 acres that would be impacted by the project, more than two-thirds will still be available for grazing.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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