On June 22nd, a ceremony was held to celebrate the Cal Park Tunnel “breakthrough,” connecting both ends of the tunnel for the first time since it was closed by fire and collapse decades ago. The ceremony was attended by the County Department of Public Works, the County Board of Supervisors, San Rafael, Larkspur, SMART, engineering contractors, Transportation Alternatives for Marin, and a handful of local advocates. Supervisors Steve Kinsey and Charles McGlashan, Larkspur Councilwoman Joan Lundstrom, San Rafael Mayor Boro, and MCBC Executive Director Kim Baenisch provided remarks that reminded participants why this is such an important facility for bicyclists and pedestrians.  [Scroll down to see photos from the event.]

As part of the North-South Greenway, the tunnel will allow cyclists to ride between San Rafael and Larkspur in 5 minutes instead of the 20+ minutes that it presently takes. The project is funded by the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program and TAM Regional Measure 2 funds. The tunnel will provide both a commuter rail corridor and a “tunnel within a tunnel” for a bicycle and pedestrian pathway. Work on the tunnel is expected to be completed in early 2010.

Project officials and local leaders speak about the importance of the tunnel.

 Breakthrough ceremony participants celebrate before touring the tunnel.

The installation of structural supports is complete and the tunnel is passable for the first time in decades.