MCBC Community ‘Closing the Gap’ Video Release Showcases Community Support, Need for Alto Tunnel

Last Wednesday, over 250 people packed the Mill Valley Community Center in an inspiring display of support for a safe, flat, car-free connection between Mill Valley and Corte Madera!

Those in attendance were treated to the premiere of Closing the Gap, a short video highlighting the incredible opportunity offered by Alto Tunnel. If you missed out, you can watch it now:

“There’s no higher priority for us than the completion of the North-South Greenway, a flat, protected pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians through Marin and Sonoma Counties,” Jim Elias, MCBC’s Executive Director, told event attendees. “To realize that vision, there’s still one critical link to be closed: Alto Tunnel.”

Elias spoke to the quality of life improvements that Alto Tunnel would deliver, removing up to 2000 cars from Marin’s congested roads daily and giving everyone, from children to seniors, the freedom to be outside, travelling car-free.

“And we increasingly understand that our climate is going through more than change, it’s in fact in crisis. Alto Tunnel provides a tangible step toward building a better future for ourselves, our kids, and our grandkids” said Elias.

Corte Madera Mayor Bob Ravasio delivered a stirring call-to-action, offering the perspectives of someone who was recently hit while bicycling and that of a local elected official who truly believes in the importance of building healthy communities.

“We could change the very fabric of Corte Madera and Mill Valley with this project,” Ravasio said. “It’s going to change the way these two towns interact with each other.”

MCBC and Friends of Alto Tunnel will deliver over 200 postcards signed at the event to elected officials and are preparing to launch the next phase of our campaign, which will require the Mill Valley and Corte Madera Councils to support an environmental study.

There will be plenty of opportunities over the coming weeks to support our efforts, but in the meantime, please take the simple actions below to help us build on this momentum.

support our efforts to reopen alto tunnel

There are several steps you can take today to help Friends of Alto Tunnel and MCBC build on this momentum as we enter the next phase of our efforts to reopen Alto Tunnel:

sign the petition

If you haven’t already, take a moment to sign Friends of Alto Tunnel’s petition here.

donate – Friends of Alto Tunnel will Double Your Gift

Two Friends of Alto Tunnel leaders have challenged supporters to match them up to $10,000 for the next phase of their campaign! Your gift will directly support grassroots efforts to deliver the call to action to our elected officials and the general public. Donate here and they’ll double your impact.

get involved

Friends of Alto Tunnel is an all-volunteer group, which means they’re always looking for talented, dedicated tunnel supporters to help lead the charge. If you’re interested in getting involved with Friends of Alto Tunnel leadership, please send a note to friendsofaltotunnel@gmail.com.