Protesters shut down work on Willits bypass

WILLITS, Calif.

Caltrans wants to build a $210 million bypass around the town of Willits on Highway 101. But traffic in the area is actually going down and critics say the money should go to more congested roads in other parts of the state.

The new freeway will cross wetlands and require extensive landfill.

Wednesday, environmental activists lay down at the construction site to stop the installation of 55,000 drains that speed the drying of the wetlands.

Highway patrol officers were called in and the protesters left peacefully.

Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.