As Highway 101 is growing wider in Cotati, it’s also getting taller.

New overpasses being built at Highway 116 and West Railroad Avenue are several feet higher than the old ones, which will be torn down and rebuilt higher as well.

“The two new overpasses there are being raised just in order to raise the clearance below,” Caltrans spokesman Bob Haus said. “Trucks have gotten a little bit bigger over the past 55 years since that highway first opened up.

“As things are now, the clearance is a little bit iffy. There are some trucks that can’t make it underneath. This will make it a little bit easier for them.”

Haus said the 116 overpass is 5 to 6 feet higher than existing one and the West Railroad overpass is 3 feet higher.

Crews have brought in dirt to raise the highway on both sides of the overpasses, which at some point will be opened up to north or southbound traffic when Caltrans starts replacing the current overpasses.

Haus said work on the overall $55 million project to widen 101 to six lanes from Rohnert Park Expressway south to Pepper Road is on schedule, expected to be finished late next year.