Preliminary Injunction Granted on Richardson Grove Project

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction halting, at least temporarily, the proposed widening of US Highway 101 through Richardson Grove.  US District Judge William Alsup granted the injunction yesterday (7/6) as part of a lawsuit filed by several environmental groups aimed at stopping the project.  In his ruling Judge Alsup wrote that the "plaintiffs have demonstrated that irreparable harm is likely" from the proposed project.   Caltrans is proposing widening the highway through Richardson Grove to better accomodate commercial truck traffic and says no old growth redwood trees will be harmed by the project.  Judge Alsup has set a December 1st hearing on his injunction at which time the environmental groups will be looking to have the injunction made permanent  while Caltrans will be arguing the order should be lifted so the work can begin.