San Rafael, CA – Travelers between the Mount Tamalpais area and Stinson Beach may be affected by a road construction project starting in late November and lasting into the spring of 2024. The work on Panoramic Highway will address damage from a major storm in October 2021 that dumped 12 inches of rain on the mountain within a 24-hour period.
The Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) is managing the slide repair project that involves installation of new retaining walls, guardrails, and pavement along Panoramic Highway. The 700-foot stretch of road parallels Marin View Avenue, just south of the Mountain Home Inn. The work zone is approximately 1.3 miles northwest of the intersection of Panoramic Highway, Sequoia Valley Road, and Muir Woods Road — locally known as Four Corners. That section of Panoramic Highway is a popular route with tourists visiting Mount Tamalpais State Park, Muir Wood National Monument, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Marin’s Pacific beaches.
Beginning in late November, Panoramic Highway will temporarily be reduced to a single lane of travel to accommodate construction of the retaining wall. The alternating direction of travel will be controlled by a temporary traffic signal. Once work starts, delays of 5 to 10 minutes can be expected for drivers and bike riders.
One hiking trail within Mount Tamalpais State Park, called Panoramic Trail, is downhill of the work zone and will be closed during construction work hours. Park personnel plan to add signage about the trail closure and recommended detours.
The Panoramic Highway location is one of 13 projects throughout the County where guardrail improvements are scheduled in the coming months. In all, roughly 4,500 feet of older guard railings are to be replaced in West Marin. The project is grant funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program as well as the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief program.
More information about current projects can be found on the DPW website.