Senator Yee passes bill to name coastal tunnels in honor of late Congressman

SACRAMENTO – The coastside tunnels currently being constructed on Highway 1 at Devil’s Slide will be named in honor of the late Congressman Tom Lantos, who secured much of the funding necessary for the $272 million project.  Both houses of the California State Legislature have unanimously approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 71 by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), legislation that officially names the tunnels the “Tom Lantos Tunnels at Devil’s Slide.”

“Like his efforts for working families and human rights, Congressman Lantos took great pride in the tunnel project,” said Yee.  “For over three decades, many San Mateo County residents and civic leaders have worked tirelessly to help protect the pristine coastal land from being paved over and to make the tunnels a reality.  Congressman Lantos fought for us from day one and thus it is quite fitting for the tunnels to bear his name.  I am honored to have carried this legislation naming the Tom Lantos Tunnels at Devil’s Slide.”

Congressman Lantos obtained $150 million in federal funds to construct the environmentally-friendly bypass of the hazardous coastal route.  The other $120 million is being funded by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Lantos led numerous other Congressional efforts for the coastal highway as well.  In 1983, he secured $58 million for emergency repairs and replacement of the highway around Devil’s Slide.  In April 2007, Lantos successfully pushed for expedited federal small business loans for coastal business that faced significant loss due to the closure of Highway 1 at Devil’s Slide.

Highway 1 hugs the coastline for much of the distance between Pacifica and Montara.  In one part, the road crosses the aptly named Devil's Slide region, a steep, unstable geological formation. This section of road has a long history of closure due to rockslides and land slippage. One of the longest road closures happened in 1995, lasting 58 days and costing almost $3 million to repair.

The two inland tunnels currently being construction beneath San Pedro Mountain will provide a safe, dependable highway between Pacifica and Montara.  Each tunnel will be 30-feet wide and 4,200-feet long. At the northern end, a 1,000-feet bridge will span the valley at Shamrock Ranch. A re-alignment of Highway 1 at the southern end will provide safe transition into and out of the tunnel.

The bypassed section of Highway 1, together with 70 acres of State right of way, will be available for public access and recreational use following the planned tunnel opening in 2011.

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