Bay Area Tunnel May Be Renamed After Robin Williams

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

Many Bay Area residents, along with Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, believe it would be appropriate to rename the ”Waldo Tunnel” after the late comedian Robin Williams.

Some might even say the rainbow colors over the North Bay tunnel could be sign enough to make the change. (Are you old enough to remember “Mork & Mindy“?)

On Thursday, the California state Assembly voted 77-0 on the proposed legislation, authored by Levine, according to the Press Democrat.

An online petition to Levine spearheading the name change was started by Williams’ former neighbor Julie Wainwright. The petition has garnered 61,500 signatures so far. Petition found here.

“I want to remember and honor this very important citizen here in our community for the joy he brought to the world and to bring awareness to the silent illness that eventually took his life. I’m asking for your support to encourage the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to change the name of Waldo Tunnel to the Robin Williams Tunnel.”

Residents and fans from all over the state have signed the petition in support of the change and have left touching comments about Williams.

Mill Valley resident Marabeth Grahame wrote:

“He was a local. We should honor him locally. The tunnel is sort of happy and silly, it suits him.”

Robert Salcido of Fresno:

“I feel that the connection between Robin Williams and this local area and bridge, are relevant. I also feel that awareness for depression in our population, especially in our youth, needs to be raised.”

Corte Madera resident Katie Albayrak:

“Robin Williams grew up in Marin. He took his life in Marin. We need a reminder of his beauty and brilliance.”

Williams, 63, a noted film and television actor, was a longtime resident of Marin. The Bay Area was shocked and saddened when he was found dead after committing suicide in his home in unincorporated Tiburon in August of 2014. Read more on Patch about the loss of Williams.

The tunnel, which connects the Golden Gate Bridge to the North Bay, is not officially named but locals refer to it as the “Waldo Tunnel.”

Photo courtesy “Change the name of the Waldo tunnel to The Robin Williams Tunnel” petition via Change.org.

(IMAGE of Williams: Patch file photo.)