Editorial: Cal Park tunnel opening good news for bike riders

Marin IJ Editorial, December 14, 2010

THE REOPENING of the Cal Park Hill tunnel was a festive celebration of a hard-fought accomplishment.

For local bicycling advocates, the tunnel is a key part of their vision to create a "Greenway" bike path through Marin, a safe, easy and straight trail running parallel to Highway 101.

For taxpayers, the tunnel is a $28 million commitment, one that advocates first estimated would cost $4 million just 10 years ago.

When estimates topped $10 million, reservations were expressed, but local bicyclists, led by the enthusiasm and clout of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, kept the project on track politically.

The reopened tunnel is an impressive accomplishment, which was reflected in Friday's turnout of 300 people, many of whom worked hard to make it happen.

The tunnel provides a direct route from San Rafael to the Larkspur Landing ferry terminal.

The reopening of the tunnel for bikers and pedestrians is just half of the promise made to Marin taxpayers. Much of the $28 million came from federal bicycle-transportation grants, state bridge toll increases and the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit commuter train.

The tunnel is supposed to be shared by the bike path and passenger trains, but SMART's promise to reach Larkspur Landing has been delayed until at least 2018.

The Cal Park Hill Tunnel was built in 1884 and served Marin transportation until 1978. It has been closed since 1980.

Bicycle advocates pushed for making room in the reopened tunnel for a bike path and trains.

A bike path, they argued, would promote people riding their bicycles between San Rafael and Larkspur by replacing a circuitous route on busy and hilly streets with a safe and direct connection. In combination with the soon-to-be-opened Puerto Suello Hill bike path, getting around Marin should be easier and safer. The 1,100-foot-long tunnel is expected to save bike riders at least 10 minutes when going from San Rafael to Larkspur. A 2002 county study estimated it could be used by 800 to 1,200 cyclists and pedestrians every day.

The county will spend more than $100,000 a year to keep the tunnel open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The number of people who pedal, jog or walk through the tunnel each day will be an important way to judge whether taxpayers are getting a good return on their significant investment.

Friday's enthusiastic opening is a promising sign that the tunnel is off to a good start toward fulfilling the worthy goal of making Marin a more bike-friendly and a less car-dependent county.