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, non-motorized 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.

Event map and parking
Parking at Bandemer Park is extremely limited. Please plan ahead and allow extra time to arrive. If possible, consider carpooling, biking, or parking at Ann Arbor Rowing Club or Barton Nature Area and walking on the B2B Trail to the event. Volunteers in orange vests will be stationed at the recommended parking lots to help direct you toward the festivities.

Recommended Parking Lots

• Parking Lot at Bandemer Park Entrance at Barton Shore Drive - 2-3 minute walk across bridge

• Parking Lot at Bandemer Disc Golf Area - 2-3 minute walk on the B2B Trail

• Parking Lot at Ann Arbor Rowing Club - 10-15 minute walk on the B2B Trail

• Barton Nature Area Parking Lot - 15-20 minute walk on the B2B Trail

October 2025

Davis Construction and the engineering team from Wade Trim successfully completed a 48-hour full closure of the railroad to install the new pedestrian tunnel — a carefully coordinated effort designed to minimize disruption to passenger rail service.

The tunnel spans 60 feet and is composed of 15 concrete sections, each 4 feet long and weighing 55,000 pounds, plus wing walls at both ends. All sections were installed during the 48-hour window.

As part of the City’s Public Art requirement, Southeast Michigan artist Tatum Lorway was selected to design artwork for the project. Inspired by the Huron River — one of our region’s defining natural features — Lorway collaborated with Detroit Metal Elements to fabricate the final piece.

The project also improved the surrounding landscape by removing mostly invasive trees and shrubs. In accordance with the City’s Forestry Plan, only 25 trees were required for replanting to meet ordinance compliance, but the project team went beyond that — installing over 200 native trees, shrubs, and grasses to enhance the area’s ecology and appearance.

A grand opening dedication ceremony, including a ribbon cutting and remarks by City leaders, project partners, and local dignitaries, will take place Wednesday, November 5, at 1 p.m.

June 12, 2025

The Border to Border Trail (B2B Trail) just celebrated a major milestone last week by installing the pedestrian tunnel between Bandemer Park and Barton Nature area. This is a connections that’s been desired by the community for decades.

On June 3-5, the contractor completed a 48-hour, round-the-clock operation to install the Barton-Bandemer tunnel on the City of Ann Arbor’s northwest side. The tunnel goes underneath the MDOT/Amtrak railroad, and the 48-hour window was scheduled to allow the contractor to fully remove and replace the tracks to complete the tunnel installation. Please check out this time-lapse video of the round-the-clock tunnel installation!

Once the project is complete and open later this fall, the tunnel will provide a crucial, safe and legal link in the Border to Border Trail. Until then, there is still more to do before the tunnel can be used, including lighting, drainage systems, connecting pathway, a small bridge and site restoration.

May 28, 2025

May 1, 2025

The Barton-Bandemer Tunnel project is progressing on schedule and the contractor is working to prepare the site for the upcoming, 48-hour track outage on June 3-4. Currently, work includes site grading; groundwater monitoring; construction of the aggregate trail bed, which will also serve as construction access; and installation of a permanent sheet pile retaining wall. The project team appreciates your patience with the temporary disruption to the trails in this area due to the closure of the south Barton Nature Area bridge over the Huron River.

More than 50 native trees and shrubs were recently installed on phase 1 of the project, the trail through Barton Nature Area, completing that project.

Plantings are complete

Cutting sheet pile wall

Crane and site security

The City of Ann Arbor is partnering with Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative (HWPI) to construct a pedestrian tunnel beneath the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) railroad between Bandemer Park and Barton Nature Area. This is an essential connection for the countywide Border to Border (B2B) Trail.

Project Details

This pedestrian tunnel will fill a critical gap on the B2B Trail and provide a safe pedestrian and bicycle gateway to the city in the North Main Street and M-14 corridor area.

This project is the second phase of a two-phase project to extend the B2B Trail westward in the city of Ann Arbor through Barton Nature Area. This pedestrian tunnel will connect the new segment of the B2B Trail in Barton Nature Area with the existing B2B Trail network in Bandemer Park and to the east. Eventually, the B2B Trail is planned to connect Ann Arbor to the parks and communities further to the west, including Delhi and Dexter.

Currently, there is no safe and legal connection for pedestrians and bicyclists between the B2B Trail in Bandemer Park and Barton Nature Area or Huron River Drive, and many pedestrians and bicyclists choose to illegally cross the railroad tracks at this location, showing that it is a highly desired route.

Project Scope

The scope of work includes the following:

• pedestrian tunnel
• pathway connections to the tunnel
• renovation to the parking lot off Huron River Drive
• public art installation on the tunnel's interior

A 48-hour railroad track outage is anticipated on June 3^rd & 4^th to allow for construction.

What are the funding sources?

This project is jointly funded by the City, the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (“County”), and the non-profit Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative (“HWPI”). Each organization is responsible for 1/3rd of the cost of the project. For the City’s portion of the costs, funding is available from the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvement Millage. A portion of the County’s funding is from the four-year county-wide road and trails millage that was recently renewed by voters in 2024. HWPI’s portion of the project costs is funded by a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and generous donations from other private donors.

This connection has been desired for more than two decades, but due to insufficient funding and the difficulty of obtaining approvals from the railroad, progress on the tunnel was delayed. The project was finally able to move forward when funding became available from the city’s partners at the county and HWPI, and when the railroad changed from private ownership to being publicly owned by MDOT.

The following access restrictions will be in place during construction:

• There will be NO access within the construction site (see map under "project boundaries." Please comply with posted signage, barriers, and other noted access restrictions. Crossing of the railroad track is illegal (unless where signage indicates otherwise).
• The pedestrian bridge from Huron River Drive into Barton Nature Area will be closed for the duration of construction. Access to Barton Nature Area is available from the north west near Barton Dam.
• The gravel parking lot off Huron River Drive, just south of the pedestrian bridge, will also be closed for the duration of construction.
• There will be a pedestrian detour in Bandemer Park around the construction site.
• During the 48-hour track outage, the vehicle bridge into Bandemer Park from Barton Drive will be closed to traffic.
• Equipment and construction traffic will access the site off Huron River Drive and from Bandemer Park and may cause temporary traffic delays.
• Noise potential from equipment

• Tunnel Underpass and B2B Trail Extension Feasibility Study Report (PDF)
• Tunnel Underpass and B2B Trail Extension Map (PDF)
• Dec. 2, 2020 public meeting summary (PDF)
• Dec. 2, 2020 public meeting YouTube recording
• Executive Summary: Bandemer-Barton Trail and Underpass Study