news Baker-Barry Tunnel Closure for Upgrades
Beginning this fall, the National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration will be working on a series of upgrades to the famous “5 Minute” Baker‐Barry Tunnel. There will be a short closure this month on Tuesday, August 16, scheduled to occur from 1 – 3 PM, followed by extended closures of the tunnel beginning Fall 2016.
During theses periods, the tunnel will be closed to all users, including vehicles and bicycles. Dates and alternative routes for the fall closure will be finalized in September. This extended closure will begin on or after October 10, 2016, and can be expected to last through at least January 2017. The NPS has established a web page for project updates: go.nps.gov/tunnel
In addition to the paved options, there are off-road routes which connect to Sausalito, Marin City and Tennessee Valley. (We always love a good excuse for a mixed-terrain ride!)
Preliminary Closure: Tuesday, August 16, from 1PM to 3PM
In preparation for the project, the Baker‐Barry Tunnel will be closed to all users on Tuesday, August 16, from 1PM to 3PM. The closure includes Bunker Road from Danes Drive to McCullough Road. All traffic must use Conzelman Road to enter and exit the Marin Headlands during the August 16 closure.
Safer Surfaces. Better Lighting.
Anyone who has ridden through the tunnel knows first hand that cracks and leaks in the tunnel result in a slippery film of sediment which can create hazards. This preservation project will create safer road surfaces, while a new LED light system will create better illumination in the tunnel for as you ride through, while reducing energy use by an estimated 40%.
The project will also replace water and sewer lines mounted in the tunnel. The outdated water and sewer lines are subject to frequent breaks, resulting in tunnel closures.
