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Richardson Grove Improvement Project

Caltrans proposes to make minor adjustments to the roadway alignment of Route 101 through Richardson Grove State Park. This project will allow access by industry standard-sized trucks conforming to the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA), which are currently prohibited north of Leggett.

Purpose and Need

Route 101 is the primary north-south route serving the north coast of California and is critical to the commerce of the region. Route 101 through Richardson Grove is a narrow two-lane road with large old growth redwood trees adjacent to the traveled way.

Industry standard-sized trucks conforming to the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) are currently prohibited from traveling Route 101 north of Leggett due to the narrow alignment at Richardson Grove. This location is one of the few remaining areas of the state in which these trucks are not permitted. As STAA trucks have become the national standard, communities with routes unable to provide STAA access are at an economic disadvantage. Truck cargo must be unloaded and transferred to shorter trucks, making goods movement more expensive.

The truck restrictions at Richardson Grove are due to the tightness of the curves, making it difficult for longer trucks to stay within the traveled way. The 1.1 mile stretch of Richardson Grove is the only remaining location on Route 101 restricting access of STAA trucks traveling into Humboldt County from the south.

This project will adjust the roadway alignment to accommodate STAA truck travel through Richardson Grove. Improvement of goods movement will help local businesses stay competitive in the marketplace.

Project Construction

  • Date to be determined

Public Notice

In 2021, the 2017 Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report was circulated for public review and comment. The 2010 Final EIR was also provided for background and context only (see documents section below).

Responses to Comments on the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report - January 2023

Documents

Accessibility Assistance: Caltrans makes every attempt to ensure our documents are accessible. Due to variances between assistive technologies, there may be portions of this document which are not accessible. Where documents cannot be made accessible, we are committed to providing alternative access to the content. Should you need additional assistance, please contact us at (916) 654-2852 or visit https://dot.ca.gov/request-ada-compliant-documents. Contact Caltrans District 1 (707) 445-6600 for information about this project. 

 

Supporting Documents

Responses to Comments on the Supplement to the Final Environmental Assessment, January 2014

Supplement to the Final Environmental Assessment and Final Tree Report, September 2013

Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment and Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation, May 2010

Photo Simulations

United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Biological Opinion, 2009

Feasibility Study for a 4-lane Freeway/Expressway, September 12, 2001

For more information, contact:

Environmental Management
RichardsonGroveImprovement@dot.ca.gov
(707) 445-6583, TTY 711

Media Inquiries - PIO
Myles Cochrane
(707) 498-4272, TTY 711

Last reviewed: October 2022

US 101 highway shield. Text reads Richardson Grove Operational Improvement.

Social Media Updates

Follow District 1 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and search #RichardsonGrove for the latest updates.

Click on the image to view the post. (External Site)

Screenshot of November 16 2021 Facebook post that reads "We want your comments on the Richardson Grove Operational Improvement Project. Our 2017 Addendum for the proposal is being circulated for public review and comment. Written comments on the Addendum will be accepted until November 19, 2021. Written comments may be mailed to Caltrans, Attn: Environmental Management, P.O. Box 3700, Eureka, CA 95502 or emailed to RichardsonGroveImprovement@dot.ca.gov The 2017 Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) along with the 2010 Final EIR (provided for background and context only), studies, and other background material, is available at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-1/d1-projects/d1-richardson-grove-improvement-project"

 

Screenshot of October 20 2021 Facebook post that reads "Official comments are now being accepted regarding the proposed Richardson Grove Operational Improvement Project. The 2017 Addendum for the project is circulating for public review and comments. Written comments on the Addendum will be accepted until November 19. Written comments may be mailed to Caltrans, Attn: Environmental Management, P.O. Box 3700, Eureka, CA 95502 or emailed to RichardsonGroveImprovement@dot.ca.gov The 2017 Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) along with the 2010 Final EIR (which provides background and context only), studies, and other background material, are available at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-1/d1-projects/d1-richardson-grove-improvement-project"

 

Screenshot of October 8 2021 Facebook post that reads "We want your comments on the Richardson Grove Operational Improvement Project: The 2017 Addendum is being circulated for public review and comment. Written comments on the Addendum will be accepted until November 19, 2021. Written comments may be mailed to Caltrans, Attn: Environmental Management, P.O. Box 3700, Eureka, CA 95502 or emailed to RichardsonGroveImprovement@dot.ca.gov. The 2017 Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) along with the 2010 Final EIR (provided for background and context only), studies, and other background material, is available at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-1/d1-projects/d1-richardson-grove-improvement-project"