Everywhere you turn, there is a history that can be told; this is especially true for the history behind the great constructions of all time. The History of the Lincoln Tunnel dates back to March, 1934 when construction began for this landmark.
The First Central Tube
Originally donned the Midtown Vehicular Tunnel, the Lincoln Tunnel as we now know it to be, was planned to be and was the first of its kind. This 1.5 mile long tunnel connects Weehawken, New Jersey to Manhattan, New Your City by a pathway that was constructed under the most famous, Hudson River. Designed by Ole Singstad, it was funded by the New Deal’s Public Works Administration. Construction began in March of 2934 and would be opened on December 22, 1937, charging travelers fifty cents per passenger car; the cost of this architectural landmark was $85,000,000.
A Marvel Design of its Time
Designed to be as two tubes, the construction on the second tube has been delayed in 1938 and then resumed in construction in 1941; due to a shortage of materials caused by World War II, it would not be completed until 1945. The construction of this second tube’s cost was $80,000,000. It was on February 1 of 1945 that Michael Catan, also known as Mr. First who was given this nickname after attending 525 opening day events, was asked to lead the way in and through the newly opened tube; over time it would be noted that a third tube could possibly be opened to create a better way of travel through the Lincoln Tunnel. After some negotiation, a third tube was constructed and opened on May 25 of 1957; located south of the two original tubes that sit side by side, the third tube is located a block away on the New York side of the tunnel.
Using the Tunnels Today
The cost of the toll today for cars using the tunnel going eastbound is $12, using cash; with E-Z Pass it costs $9.50 during the peak hours and $7.50 for the off-peak hours. In comparison to the past, there are 110,800 daily tunnel users. The tunnels are 21.5 feet wide, with each tunnel having two lanes, and a vertical clearance that measures 13.5 feet. The tunnels today are maintained by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; 2012 marked the 75th anniversary of the tunnel opening up. The Holland Tunnel is found in nearby New Jersey and is ten years older than the Lincoln Tunnel. Both tunnels are found to be prime terrorist targets, they require extra monitoring on a daily basis.
During rush hours, the center tube has a one traffic lane called XBL used as an exclusive bus lane. It is during the morning rush hour that the central tunnel is used only to go in the direction leading to Manhattan and during the evening rush hour, the central tunnel is used only to go in the direction that leads to New Jersey. Aside from that, outside of these rush hours, traffic is directed to flow in both directions. Each toll is collected on the New Jersey side and does not require any collections on return trips; each morning during rush hour, the tunnels see 1,700 buses and 62,000 commuters.