NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans celebrated the completion of the Willits Bypass Project on U. S. Highway 101 on Thursday in Mendocino County.

The celebration included the dedication of the 1.1-mile-long viaduct as the Jesse D. Pittman S01 Navy SEAL Memorial Bridge, in honor of a fallen local hero.
 
On Aug. 6, 2011, U.S. Navy SEAL and Willits local Jesse Pittman was aboard a military helicopter participating in a night raid over Afghanistan to root out Taliban fighters.

The helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and crashed, claiming the lives of those aboard.

Pittman also served his community as a Cal Fire firefighter in Mendocino County shortly before enlisting in the Navy.
 
Crews constructed approximately six miles of roadway and 14 bridges on U.S. Highway 101 in Mendocino County for the $300 million two-lane bypass project to improve safety for traffic and pedestrians traveling through the city of Willits.

The project also eliminated the only stoplights on U.S. 101 between San Francisco and Eureka, relieving congestion and reducing delays for motorists.
 
“It’s a great day for motorists traveling both north and south on U.S. 101,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “I’d like to thank the Willits residents for their patience and support throughout the life of this project. Driving, riding a bike, or walking through downtown Willits will finally be safer and easier, with significantly less traffic through the center of town.”
 
Local classic cars were among the first to cross the viaduct and carried honored guests including Reps. Jared Huffman and Mike Thompson, Assemblyman Jim Wood, Willits Mayor Bruce Burton, and the family of and those who served with Pittman. 

Cal Fire provided a color guard for the bridge dedication ceremony, and Caltrans Honor Guard members were present to honor the fallen Navy SEAL.
 
This highway improvement project is partially funded by $136 million in Proposition 1B funds from the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To date, more than $19 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been put to work statewide for transportation purposes.