Caltrans plans to work on Willits freeway bypass for one more day

WILLITS, Calif. (KGO) -- On Tuesday, Caltrans announced it would continue working on parts of a troubled freeway project at least for one more day.

Caltrans is building a six-mile freeway bypass around the town of Willits on Highway 101 in Mendocino County.

The project goes through federally protected wetlands and streams so Caltrans is required to do extensive environmental mitigation in other areas to compensate. However, the mitigation is way behind schedule and there are significant financial issues.

Two weeks ago, the Army Corps of Engineers ordered Caltrans to stop construction in sensitive environmental areas.

Then on Monday, Caltrans said it would stop all work and lay off 100 people.

Now, the two agencies have agreed to meet tomorrow so Caltrans has delayed the decision on whether to shut down completely.