Delays expected on Highway 29 in St. Helena due to tree work

Work on St. Helena’s Tunnel of Elms scheduled from Tuesday, Feb. 18, to Thursday, Feb. 28

NAPA COUNTY- Caltrans has scheduled one-way traffic controls on State Route 29 (SR-29) just north of St. Helena within the Tunnel of Elms, where 24 trees will be removed due to age and disease. This action follows the 2021 Elm Tunnel Management Plan and is based on inspections conducted in June 2023 in collaboration with both Caltrans and the City of St. Helena.
Nine days of tree maintenance work are scheduled daily, starting at 9 AM until 5 PM, from Tuesday, February 18, 2025, through Thursday, February 28, 2025 within the Tunnel of Elms by Beringer Winery.
For workers and public safety, crews will have one-way traffic control in place during the maintenance hours on State Route 29. During one-way traffic controls, crews will hold vehicle traffic to one direction at a time.
Motorists are advised to expect delays and exercise caution while driving in this area. All work is weather dependent.
For 24/7 traffic updates, visit 511.org: https://twitter.com/511SFBay
For real-time information, please visit Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov

As part of this effort, the St. Helena Beautification Foundation has been actively involved in the management plan and is contributing funds made possible by an annual donation from Beringer Winery. These funds will go toward the replacement of the diseased trees. Their support highlights the community’s commitment to preserving the historic character of the tunnel while ensuring its long-term health.

Following the removal of the existing trees, new disease-resistant elms will be planted in or near the same locations to maintain the iconic appearance of the Elm Tunnel and promote its future sustainability.