On December 9, 2010, Marin County leaders celebrated the momentous re-opening of the Cal Park Tunnel, concluding a major 12-year effort to rehabilitate a historic, collapsed 1,000-foot long railway tunnel between San Rafael and Larkspur, CA.
The tunnel was originally built in 1884 as a means to transport lumber and freight. After a series of devastating fires and collapses, the tunnel was closed and has remained off limits since 1980. Bicycle advocates recognized the significance of reawakening the tunnel, both to provide cyclists with a safe and comfortable alternative to the hilly and busy on-street route connecting the cities, and as a regional linkage for nonmotorized recreation and travel, paralleled with the new SMART rail corridor.
Over 12 years, community leaders and advocates banded together, gathering funding and support from a diverse population, while partnering with multiple regional transit, county, and regulatory entities. Ever committed, they overcame staggering challenges and dangerous risks during construction. But it was worth the struggle -
riding a bike between the two destinations is now faster than driving in rush hour traffic!Alta led pathway design and implementation portion, working under AECOM, and addressed public safety and security, maintenance requirements, and potential shared use with rail service. Alta's Ian Moore worked with private property owners and the Town of Larkspur to address tunnel access, approach, and wayfinding.
