New Golden Gate Bridge Tunnel Named for Robin Williams

The sign is up and it is now official, the new rainbow-arch tunnel that connects Marin County with the Golden Gate Bridge in California has been named the Robin Williams tunnel.

The signs, which stand on either side of the tunnel, were installed on February 29. This was several months after the California state legislator changed the name of the tunnel legally to honor the actor/comedian, Robin Williams. Prior to the time that it was renamed the Robin Williams tunnel, it was known as the Waldo Tunnel or Rainbow Tunnel.

The bill, which was passed several months ago reads as follows:

“Robin Williams was a friend to the North Bay community of the San Francisco Bay area. He would often drop in unannounced at comedy nights at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. There he would encourage young, budding comedians. He did so with kindness and humility and many comedians aspired to perform with the same level of wit and insight as Robin Williams.”

Robin Williams passed away in August, 2014. Although he traveled the world as an actor and comedian, he was also a longtime resident of Marin County. Julie Wainwright is the woman who started a petition on change.org last year to have the tunnel renamed as a tribute to Mr. Williams. Wainwright wrote the following on the campaign page:

“He was my neighbor — I often saw him running errands, walking the dog, performing at the local theater, working at the coffee shop. Robin wasn’t just an international icon — he was an integral part of our community here in the Bay Area. We claim him as our own.”

She shared the following photograph of the newly named tunnel on twitter.

According to information acquired from the Associated Press, the signs cost $3000 but they were paid for with private donations.

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