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Residents press council to renew Alto Tunnel study; opponents cite cost and disruption
Summary
Dozens of residents urged Mill Valley to re‑open study and renew the city's 2000 resolution supporting the Alto Tunnel for safe walking and biking; supporters emphasized safety, ADA access and reduced vehicle miles, while opponents warned reconstruction could cost many tens of millions and disrupt neighborhoods.
Speakers at public open time urged the council to agendize and renew a resolution supporting study of reopening the Alto Tunnel between Mill Valley and Corte Madera. Warren Wells of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition asked the council to update a 2000 resolution and study outstanding questions; several residents said reopening could provide safe, ADA‑accessible walking and biking connections and reduce vehicle miles traveled.
"This tunnel, if opened...would link up nearly 10 miles of multiuse pathway...creating a seamless link for accessible, safe walking and biking," Warren Wells told the council. Speakers referenced older studies that estimated travel‑and‑mode benefits; Lee Larson cited a 2010 study that projected up to 2,000 vehicle miles a day could be reduced.
Other commenters urged immediate council support for an updated study or a simple renewal of the resolution to keep the project 'grant‑ready.' Terrell Callaway of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition said Mill Valley does not need to fund construction and asked only that the council start conversations.
Opponents and nearby homeowners raised engineering, staging and cost concerns. Nick Trevares and John Palmer warned that the earlier $60 million estimate from 2010 is out of date and that reconstruction likely requires a new bore, easements and extensive staging that could cost far more. "I can almost guarantee you, this project has cost $100,000,000," one opponent said, urging caution and fuller study of access and neighborhood impacts.
Mayor Perret thanked speakers and noted the city clerk published 21 advance comments; the council took the remarks under advisement and did not vote on a new resolution during the meeting.
