Politician wants to rename Waldo Tunnel after Robin Williams

MARIN COUNTY, Calif. (KABC) -- One week to the day since Robin William's death in Tiburon, there is a push to rename a landmark he drove on his way to and from San Francisco.

The Waldo Tunnel is on Highway 101 north of the Golden Gate Bridge as you drive into Marin. If one assemblyman gets his way, the tunnel will be renamed after the actor-comedian.

The tunnel is currently named after William Waldo, a politician during the California Gold Rush.

So far, more than 4,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org to rename the Waldo in memory of Williams.

"Robin Williams touched so many peoples' lives with his humor," said Assm. Marc Levine, D-San Rafael.

Levine says with the permission of Williams' family, he would introduce a resolution in Sacramento to honor the actor.

The idea is gaining traction in Marin where Williams called home.

"I think it's a great idea. I think Robin Williams touched a lot of people's lives in the Bay Area," Martinez resident Katrina Engstrom said.

The Waldo Tunnel is legendary. It's appeared in many movies like "Dirty Harry."

"Oh that would be nice, actually. He's a colorful guy and he's a creative guy," Sausalito resident Jenny Wasser said.

The rainbows seen on the tunnel are the stuff of legends too. Some say hippies painted them during the summer of love.

"And of course there are the rainbows over the tunnels, which for so many of us recall the suspenders that Mork wore in 'Mork and Mindy,'" said Marc Levine.

It would be a colorful memorial to a hometown hero.