Any cyclist or pedestrian who wants to go from Corte Madera to Mill Valley is familiar with the punishing road that connects the two towns. That road, Camino Alto and another route that parallels the 101 freeway, combine the worst of non-motorized transit-- steep routes while mixing with automobile traffic.
There is a third alternative- reopening long-closed Alto Tunnel, but a just-released study which examined all three routes--claims it could cost as much as $52 million to do that.
Proponents of Alto Tunnel, an former one-track rail route carved into the hill between the two towns (photo below), have suggested its reopening for years. Built in the late 1800s, the tunnel itself is over 15 feet wide, 20 feet tall and well over 2,000 feet long. In 1971, it was permanently closed.
Supporters of Alto say the route is relatively flat and far easier for hikers and cyclists to negotiate but extensive rebuilding of the southern entry and other improvements including creating separate paths for hikers and cyclists, are the reason for the hefty price tag.
The study also looked at ways of improving the existing routes, Camino Alto and Horse Hill route which parallels the 101 and those costs came out much less. Still, those routes would essentially be unchanged.
The Marin County Department of Public Works has sponsored two public workshops on the study, the second and final of which is Wednesday, December 9. After the workshop, the public will have an opportunity to submit comments and imput.
Where: Edna Maguire Elementary School
Multipurpose Room
80 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley
When: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.
(Map courtesy of WalkBikeMarin.org and old tunnel photo courtesy of MarinBike.org)
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