Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel Grand Opening Ceremony is Nov. 5!
The City of Ann Arbor is announcing a date has been set for the Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel Grand Opening Ceremony. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at 1 p.m., officials from the city and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission will join with the community and project partners to celebrate the much-anticipated tunnel opening on the city’s northwest side. A brief program and ceremonial ribbon cutting will take place to recognize project champions including funding partners, Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and to highlight the many benefits the project completion brings.
The pedestrian tunnel will connect the new segment of the Border to Border (B2B) Trail in Barton Nature Area with the existing B2B Trail network in Bandemer Park and more than 20 miles to the east. In addition to a new pedestrian tunnel, this project also includes pathway connections and a public art installation entitled “Ode to Huron” on the tunnel's interior. The artist, Tatum Lowry, will be in attendance at the Nov. 5 ceremony to share her inspiration for the art.
While event guests are encouraged to arrive via the newly connected Border to Border Trail, limited parking will also be available.
“The opening of the Barton-Bandemer Tunnel marks an incredible milestone for our community and for the B2B Trail,” said Meghan Bonfiglio, director, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation. “Washtenaw County Parks is proud to have co-led the construction of this transformative project, which not only enhances connectivity and safety for trail users, but also strengthens the network of greenways that bring our communities together. It’s a reflection of what can happen when dedicated partners like the City of Arbor, Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation work side by side.”
Kiff Hamp, executive director, Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative, underscored the impact community collaborations had on this project, noting, “Thanks to the tremendous support of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, along with other private donors, the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative is proud to play a pivotal role in making the Barton-Bandemer Tunnel a reality. Its opening is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our partners and our donors over many years and will serve as a pillar in our community for generations to come.”
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor echoed the impact of community coming together for a shared vision. "The years of planning, partnership and persistence for the Barton-Bandemer Tunnel have now enabled safe, nonmotorized travel along the Huron River," said Mayor Taylor. "The state's busiest passenger rail corridor, which happens to also be a federally designated High-Speed Rail Corridor, is no longer a threat nor a barrier to parkgoers and travelers along the Border to Border Trail. This crucial piece of infrastructure protects lives just as much as it connects neighborhoods, parks and people throughout this section of the city."
“The Barton Bandemer Tunnel has been years in the making, and it’s exciting to see it come to life,” said JJ Tighe, director of Parks & Trails at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “For the first time, people will have a safe way to walk and bike between Bandemer Park and the Barton Nature Area, something this community has wanted for decades. This project closes a key gap in the Border to Border Trail, creating a safer, more connected network and showing what’s possible when public and private partners work together toward a shared vision.”
From the start of the initial feasibility study through the upcoming completion of construction, the project will have spanned approximately five years of dedicated effort from city and county parks staffs. Community members have also practiced patience through the years, enduring intermittent closures and areas off limits. And for this, the city is grateful, says Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Manager Josh Landefeld.
“We understand the frustrations that come with interruptions to plans and routines,” Landefeld said, “and we want everyone to know we’ve appreciated their cooperation steering clear of construction sites and their excitement and enthusiasm they’ve maintained overall for this important project. We’re confident all will be pleased with the Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel and find it was well worth the wait.”
The community may not have to wait until the official ribbon cutting to use the tunnel though. Landefeld suggests following city social media channels “just in case” an announcement is made of the tunnel opening slightly ahead of the ceremony. Until official word, however, he issues the reminder to please continue to comply with the posted signage, barriers and other noted access restrictions on site at the Barton-Bandemer Tunnel. To learn more about this project, visit https://engage.a2gov.org/barton-bandemer-pedestrian-tunnel.
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Media Contacts:
Josh Landefeld, Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Manager, jlandefeld@a2gov.org
Peter Sanderson, PLA, Project Manager, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, sandersonp@washtenaw.org