MCBC’s highest organizational priority is the completion of the North-South Greenway, a continuous bicycle and pedestrian pathway connecting communities along the 101 corridor; key projects include Alto Tunnel, which lies between Corte Madera and Mill Valley, and the SMART pathway system, which will complete the Greenway from San Rafael to Cloverdale.
For decades, Marin and Sonoma Counties have held a vision for the Greenway along the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad alignment. Substantial progress has been made in recent years – most notably including the opening of Cal Park Hill Tunnel and Central Marin Ferry Connector Bridge (pictured above) – but challenging gaps remain.
San Rafael’s Downtown – particularly the area closest to the freeway – remains the most dangerous place to walk and bike in Marin County. MCBC continues to support the City of San Rafael as they move forward on several plans and projects with the potential to greatly improve the ease and safety with which people walk and bike.
“This plan lies at the heart of our work at MCBC – spanning from the vision of a completed network of safe, flat, and direct greenways that appeal to people of all ages and abilities, to short-term fixes on Marin’s popular recreational routes that minimize conflicts between people biking and driving…”
Construction of the 2nd to Andersen Pathway in San Rafael could commence as early as this June following an eleventh-hour effort from the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), City of San Rafael, and County of Marin to cover a $3.5M shortfall.
People walking and bicycling near the San Rafael Civic Center SMART Station will soon have a safe and direct connection thanks to a key SMART pathway segment now nearly completed, while funding remains a hurdle on the 2nd to Anderson Pathway.
by Bjorn Griepenburg, Policy & Planning Director, Marin County Bicycle Coalition Last week, the county of Marin released an updated […]
This Tuesday, the County of Marin released the Alto Tunnel Investigation and Cost Estimate Update, signaling the completion of several years of information-gathering on the long-shuttered tunnel. “MCBC is delighted that this day has finally come,” said Executive Director Jim Elias. “With detailed cost estimates in hand, we now know what it will take to close the last significant gap in the North-South Greenway.”
We need to hear from you! What do the Cal Park Hill Tunnel and Central Marin Ferry Connector mean to you? Drop a note or photo to MCBC Policy and Planning Director, Bjorn Griepenburg.
San Rafael is in the process of updating its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which serves as its blueprint for near-, mid-, and long-term projects that will improve the safety and convenience of walking and bicycling.
After two years of dispute and uncertainty, the question surrounding the 2nd to Andersen multi-use pathway appears not to be if, but when. The completion of the pathway – a critical connection between the Cal Park Hill Tunnel and downtown San Rafael – would connect another challenging gap in the North-South Greenway, a long-envisioned route spanning the length of the County.
Odds are that you pass through San Rafael at least occasionally. Wouldn’t it be nice if you and your children could do this safely on a bike?
Efforts to open Alto Tunnel reached another milestone this week
TAM & San Rafael City Council recognize need to support the SMART multi-use path between 2nd Street and Andersen Drive
