Leggett’s Highway 101 Freight Bottleneck: April Court Ruling Lets Richardson Grove Project Advance

LEGGETT, Mendocino County — October 28, 2026. The route north from Leggett on U.S. Highway 101 is the focus of a long-running transportation and environmental debate. On April 1, 2026, Caltrans announced that a California appellate court had upheld environmental review of the Richardson Grove Improvement Project, allowing the state to move forward with its plans for the narrow roadway through the state park.

Where is the project?

The project concerns approximately one mile of US 101 in Richardson Grove State Park, southern Humboldt County, north of Leggett. This is not a road-widening project in the residential streets of Leggett. It affects a major connection used by Mendocino and Humboldt travelers and freight carriers.

Why does Caltrans want to change the road?

Caltrans says the tight curves historically prevented federally recognized Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) standard-sized freight trucks from proceeding north beyond Leggett. The agency proposes modest changes to the highway alignment to accommodate truck movements, with goals that include better freight access and traffic safety. Supporters cite reduced transportation constraints; critics have long raised questions about the park’s ancient redwood habitat and construction impacts.

What did the court decide?

Caltrans reports that the First District Court of Appeal affirmed a Humboldt County Superior Court decision upholding the project’s environmental review under California law. The ruling addresses the legal challenge to the environmental process, not a claim that every contractor activity is already completed.

Will old-growth redwoods be removed?

Caltrans stated in its April announcement that no old-growth redwood trees are slated for removal. It said earlier preparatory tree work involved younger trees and that construction methods would include hand digging and air spades to limit impacts on roots. The agency anticipated a construction start in late May or early June 2026 at the time. That was an earlier forecast, not independent verification of today’s work-zone status; travelers should consult Caltrans’ current traffic information.

Sources and road conditions

Caltrans April 1, 2026 court-ruling announcement; Caltrans Richardson Grove project documents; Caltrans QuickMap. This is an update on a documented legal and transportation milestone, not an unverified current lane closure.

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