Mill Valley residents accustomed to the convenience of the Manzanita Park and Ride lot will need to find an alternate parking arrangement for a short period this July. Due to the anticipated high tide flood warnings, Caltrans has announced a closure of the lower half of this frequently used lot from Friday, July 19, through Monday, July 29. Caltrans maintenance teams have taken this precautionary measure to mitigate the risk posed by the high tides expected to arrive during the evening hours.
As the tides predictably swell, bringing the sea to lap at the edges of stability and infrastructure, they remind us that nature often holds the upper hand. Although the day traffic along State Route 1, also known as the Shoreline Highway, is not projected to be affected, those seeking to park overnight will find the lower half of the lot unwelcomingly cordoned off. Caltrans will turn on Changeable Message Signs (CMS) in the park and ride lot to notify the public.
It's not just the high tides but the synergy of rain and sea that pose the flooding threat, compelling such protective measures. Caltrans, no stranger to the nuances of coastal infrastructure, regularly enacts such closures when the watery confluence threatens to submerge more than just land — when it threatens routine, safety, and the complacency in which we often find comfort.
