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Is California considering widening a highway through the Richardson Grove redwoods?

Thursday, October 28, 2021
By Lisa Freedland
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
YES

Caltrans, California's transportation department, has been attempting to widen a 1.1 mile– long strip of highway running through Richardson Grove State Park since 2006. After being halted three times, a federal judge gave the project a green light this August despite opposition from environmentalists and indigenous groups. While lawsuits have been filed to overturn the decision, none so far has succeeded.

Caltrans says the project will enable industry standard-sized trucks, currently prohibited from the route, to pass through, improving the movement of goods and "helping local businesses stay competitive."

Opponents argue the project will "kill or damage irreplaceable ancient redwood trees" and suggest there are alternative routes that can be used to move goods through Richardson Grove.

The project's construction date is still "to be determined," according to the Caltrans website.

Sources
Courthouse News California wins fight over contested highway project in ancient redwood grove
State of California Richardson Grove Improvement Project
Times-Standard (Eureka CA) ‘We are standing with the trees’: EPIC, tribes call on Caltrans to halt Richardson Grove project
Save Richardson Grove ACTION ALERT: Save the Old Growth Redwoods of Richardson Grove!
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.