HOPLAND – State budget constraints are forcing Caltrans to change one of its North Coast projects.

The agency reported this week that the scope of the Hopland Bypass project on Highway 101 in Mendocino County has been scaled back at this time.

Caltrans officials said the project will now only include widening Highway 101 from just north of the Cal Fire station to the existing four-lane freeway north of Nelson Road.

The project will be renamed the North Hopland Upgrade, Caltrans reported.

The scope modification recently was presented to the Mendocino Council of Governments, and Caltrans reported that it obtained the council's concurrence to proceed with the changes.

On Tuesday, Caltrans presented the modification to partner agencies and the Hopland Bypass Citizens Advisory Committee.

Caltrans reported that it is planning to hold a public open house in late 2010 to provide more details on this project and receive public input.

As updated information is made available it will also be posted to the project Web site, http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/d1projects/hopland .

Questions and comments regarding the project should be directed to Project Manager Steven

Blair at 707-441-5899 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .