Cycling advocates press Corte Madera council to renew support for reopening Alto Tunnel
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Summary
Bicycling advocacy groups and dozens of residents urged the Corte Madera Town Council on March 3 to update a 25‑year‑old resolution to study and seek funding to reopen the Alto Tunnel, saying it would create a nearly 10‑mile multiuse corridor and improve safety; council did not take formal action on the request at the meeting.
Representatives of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and local residents told the Corte Madera Town Council during the public comment period on March 3 that the long‑closed Alto Tunnel is a critical link for a nearly 10‑mile multiuse pathway between Sausalito and points north and that the town should renew a 25‑year‑old resolution supporting study of the project.
Warren Wells, policy and plan director for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, said the coalition and a volunteer group, Open Alto Tunnel, have gathered a petition signed by more than 2,000 Marin residents — including over 300 from Corte Madera — and asked the council to update its earlier endorsement so the county and adjoining cities will evaluate outstanding engineering, property and cost questions. “We are here to ask you if you update that quarter century old council resolution to reflect the work that has been done to date and renew the request for the outstanding issues be evaluated by the county,” Wells said.
Multiple residents from Corte Madera and neighboring towns described how a reopened tunnel would allow seniors, families and younger riders to travel safely between communities without climbing steep grades. Chris Concannon, who described himself as a bike commuter and a 2024 crash survivor, urged the council to move the issue forward on safety grounds. Don Herzog, a Mill Valley geotechnical engineer who has studied the tunnel for decades, said the structure shows ongoing collapse in places and recommended careful study of abandonment versus reconstruction costs and risks before any commitment to construction.
No formal council action was taken on the public comment item; several speakers asked that the council put a resolution of support back on a future agenda so the county can evaluate costs and benefits and potential grant opportunities. Town staff noted that earlier corridor studies and grant work had been done and that the county would need updated analyses before major funding or construction steps could proceed.
Next steps: Supporters requested the council agendize an updated resolution; council members indicated they would consider scheduling the item for a future meeting so staff and the council can evaluate the petition and available technical information.
