Editing Lincoln Tunnel (section)

== Description ==
=== Tubes ===
[[File:Lincoln Tunnel.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Entrance to the north tube from the New York side]]
The three tubes, operated by the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]] (formerly Port of New York Authority), comprise six traffic lanes in total and carry a combined total of 112,995 vehicles per day {{As of|2016|alt=as of 2016}}.<ref name="nycdot16"/> In 2017, there were 19,039,210 tolls collected in the eastbound direction.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/pdf/traffic-e-zpass-usage-2017.pdf |title=2017 Monthly Traffic and Percent of E-ZPass Usage |date=March 2018 |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829061506/http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/pdf/traffic-e-zpass-usage-2017.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> Although the center tube normally provides one travel lane in each direction, both of the travel lanes in the tunnel's center tube are reversible and can be configured for peak-hour traffic demand if needed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Berlow |first=L. |title=Reference Guide to Famous Engineering Landmarks of the World: Bridges, Tunnels, Dams, Roads and Other Structures |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-135-93261-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jox4CAAAQBAJ&pg=PT168 |access-date=April 12, 2018 |page=168 |via=[[Google Books]] |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408195652/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jox4CAAAQBAJ&pg=PT168 |url-status=live }}</ref> The northern and southern tubes respectively carry westbound and eastbound traffic exclusively.<ref name="Google 2016">{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lincoln+Tunnel/@40.7624908,-74.0186684,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c25835ae442d21:0x2d54ad43ed6985ab!8m2!3d40.7624908!4d-74.0099137|title=Lincoln Tunnel|access-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref> Normally, only motor traffic uses the tunnel, but every year, a few bicycle tours and foot races pass through by special arrangement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lincoln Tunnel Challenge draws thousands of runners |first=Kathleen |last=Lynn |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/041711_Lincoln_Tunnel_challenge_draws_thousands_of_runners.html |newspaper=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]] |location=Bergen County, NJ |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=September 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929214734/http://www.northjersey.com/news/041711_Lincoln_Tunnel_challenge_draws_thousands_of_runners.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Each tube provides a {{convert|21.5|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}} roadway with two lanes and {{convert|13|ft|m}} of vertical clearance.<ref name="Port Authority of New York and New Jersey"/> Most vehicles carrying [[Dangerous goods|hazmats]] are not allowed in the tunnel, and trucks cannot use the center tube. There is a width limit of {{convert|8|ft|6|in}} for vehicles entering the tunnel.<ref name="traffic-restrictions">{{cite web |url=http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-traffic-restrictions.html |title=Traffic Restrictions |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |access-date=November 24, 2012 |archive-date=December 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203191012/http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-traffic-restrictions.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although the three portals are side by side in New Jersey, the north tube portal is one block west of the other two tubes' portals in New York City.<ref name="Ingraham 1957" /> The north tube's eastern portal is near Eleventh Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets, while the center and south tubes emerge side by side at Tenth Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets.<ref name="Ingraham 1957" /> As a result, the three tubes are of different lengths.<ref name="Port Authority of New York and New Jersey">{{Cite web |url=https://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-facts-info.html |title=Facts & Info: Lincoln Tunnel |publisher=[[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]] |access-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041645/https://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-facts-info.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The longest tube is the {{convert|8,216|ft|m|adj=on|sp=us}} center tube,<ref name="The New York Times 1937 2" /> which runs parallel to the {{convert|8,006|ft|m|adj=on|sp=us}} southern tube.<ref name="Ingraham 1957 2" /><ref name="Port Authority of New York and New Jersey" /> The northern tube is {{convert|7,482|ft|m|sp=us}} long.<ref name="Port Authority of New York and New Jersey" /> On the Manhattan side, there is an [[Art Deco architecture|Art Deco]] ventilation shaft located west of 12th Avenue.<ref>{{cite book |title=Route 9A Reconstruction Project, Battery Place to 59th St., New York County: Environmental Impact Statement |year=1994 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZqY1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA59 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |page=59 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503210728/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZqY1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA59 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Emergency services at the Lincoln Tunnel are provided by the Port Authority's Tunnel and Bridge Agents, who are stationed at the Port Authority's crossings.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ford |first=James |title=The most important part of commuting you've never heard of: training TBAs |website=WPIX 11 New York |date=July 12, 2018 |url=https://pix11.com/2018/07/12/the-most-important-part-of-commuting-youve-never-heard-of-training-tbas/ |access-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912092106/https://pix11.com/2018/07/12/the-most-important-part-of-commuting-youve-never-heard-of-training-tbas/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kurtz |first=Gretchen |title=Road and Rail; On the Job, Way Under Water |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 13, 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/13/nyregion/road-and-rail-on-the-job-way-under-water.html |access-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912092104/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/13/nyregion/road-and-rail-on-the-job-way-under-water.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They maintain various apparatus such as fire trucks, rescue trucks, and wreckers for serious incidents.<ref name="Higgs 2018">{{cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=This is how they free up the Lincoln Tunnel when a vehicle gets stuck |website=NJ.com |date=August 27, 2018 |url=https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2018/08/how_do_they_unclog_the_lincoln_tunnel_when_a_vehic.html |access-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828131717/https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2018/08/how_do_they_unclog_the_lincoln_tunnel_when_a_vehic.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Port Authority workers also use cameras to monitor the tunnel.<ref name="Higgs 2018"/><ref name="Romano 1990"/>

=== <span class="anchor" id="The Helix"></span>New Jersey approach ===
{{main|Lincoln Tunnel Helix}}
The main approach road on the New Jersey side is [[New Jersey Route 495|Route 495]], a state highway running in a west–east direction within an [[Cut (earthmoving)|open cut]] through [[Union City, New Jersey|Union City]].<ref name="Google 2016"/> The New Jersey approach roadway, known as [[Lincoln Tunnel Helix|the "Helix"]] and formerly as the "Corkscrew",<ref name="Gillespie 2011">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N9jlz-AAPfMC |title=Crossing Under the Hudson: The Story of the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels |last=Gillespie |first=A.K. |location=New Brunswick, NJ |publisher=Rutgers University Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-8135-5003-9 |oclc=664352288 |access-date=April 26, 2018 |via=Google Books |archive-date=February 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225232913/https://books.google.com/books?id=N9jlz-AAPfMC |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|74}} turns in a three-quarters circle before arriving at the entrance to the tunnel.<ref name="Google 2016" /> This is because of the steep King's Bluff ledge in Weehawken, which is located right above the tunnel portal.<ref name="The New York Times 1937 3" /> The helix roadway extends over a distance of {{Convert|4000|ft|m}}.<ref name="The New York Times 1938" />

[[File:Lincoln Helix Harbor Blvd jeh.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|left|alt=The tunnel's approach road in New Jersey, which is referred to as "The Helix"|The Helix from the east. The highway descends from the top of the ledge (at right, not visible) to the tunnel's toll plaza (background).]]
Route 495 approaches the Helix from the west, crossing over John F. Kennedy Boulevard East. To the east of the JFK Boulevard East overpass, the roadway of Route 495 curves to the south and starts its descent. At this point, the westbound direction has a northbound ramp that diverges to two streets: northbound JFK Boulevard East, and northbound Park Avenue.<ref name="Google 2016" /> Both directions of Route 495 continue south onto a rock shelf and then onto a viaduct, which descends before turning west and then north. While it curves west, the helix crosses JFK Boulevard East again, this time in an east-to-west direction.<ref name="The New York Times 1938" /> As the viaduct turns north, Park Avenue begins to follow the viaduct along its west side. The two directions split, and the ramp from the center tube to southbound Park Avenue rises between the two directions of traffic. The ramp from northbound Park Avenue to the eastbound tunnel merges to the outside (east) of the viaduct, while the ramp from the westbound tunnel to southbound Park Avenue dips into a short tunnel underneath the avenue. The avenue itself ascends King's Bluff in a relatively straight line from south to north.<ref name="Google 2016" />

As Park Avenue continues to ascend the ledge, the viaduct descends to ground level. The highway lanes then split into the portals for the three tubes, which are ornamented with stone. The tubes then curve east and cross under the Hudson River.<ref name="Google 2016" /> This tollbooth has 13 toll lanes.<ref name="Port Authority of New York and New Jersey"/>

{{As of|2015}}, the Port Authority considered the Helix to have a working lifespan of ten years. Alternatives to its replacement included tunnels under the Palisades directly to the Lincoln Tunnel portals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/09/tunnels_through_the_palisades_could_replace_lincoln_tunnel_helix.html |title=Tunnels through the Palisades Could Replace Lincoln Tunnel Helix |work=NJ.com |date=September 26, 2015 |access-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-date=September 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928183540/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/09/tunnels_through_the_palisades_could_replace_lincoln_tunnel_helix.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.panynj.gov/corporate-information/pdf/9-24-15-cpeam-lt-helix-public.pdf |title=Lincoln Tunnel Helix Replacement Program Phase II Planning |author=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |date=September 24, 2015 |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |access-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714022541/http://www.panynj.gov/corporate-information/pdf/9-24-15-cpeam-lt-helix-public.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In June 2018, the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], which maintains Route 495, announced that it would renovate the structure of the Helix over the course of more than two years. According to the American Highway Users Alliance, the Helix is considered one of the most congested corridors in the east coast of the United States: {{As of|2018|alt=as of 2018}}, drivers spent a cumulative 3.4 million hours per year sitting in congestion at the Helix.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/nyregion/nj-turnpike-repairs-lincoln-tunnel.html |title=For New Jersey Commuters, a Sequel to the 'Summer of Hell' |date=June 5, 2018 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-date=June 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606004125/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/nyregion/nj-turnpike-repairs-lincoln-tunnel.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

An administration building is also located on the New Jersey side, along Boulevard East.<ref name=Courier-NewTunnel-1938/><ref name="Romano 1990"/>

=== Manhattan approaches ===
{{main|Lincoln Tunnel Expressway}}
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=vertical
|width=220
|image1=Lincoln Manh portal 9-38 jeh.JPG
|caption1=Manhattan portals of the south and center tubes
|image2=Dyer Av and 36 St Apr 2018 01.jpg
|caption2=Northbound approach to the tunnel at 36th Street and Dyer Avenue
}}

Traffic exiting the Lincoln Tunnel in Manhattan typically uses either [[Dyer Avenue (Manhattan)|Dyer Avenue]], which also offers direct access to the [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]], or the [[Lincoln Tunnel Expressway]]. Dyer Avenue runs in between Ninth and Tenth Avenues and exists in three segments: 30th–31st Streets, 34th–36th Streets, and 40th–42nd Streets. The Lincoln Tunnel Expressway, a bidirectional divided highway that passes below street level, connects the southernmost section of Dyer Avenue with the Lincoln Tunnel. The primary entrance roadways for the Lincoln Tunnel are [[Galvin Avenue]], as well as the Lincoln Tunnel Expressway and the southern two sections of Dyer Avenue. Galvin Avenue runs in between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues and carries traffic southbound from 41st to 40th Streets.<ref name="Google 2016" />

The southernmost tube, which carries eastbound traffic to New York, surfaces just northeast of the intersection of 38th Street and Tenth Avenue. It leads directly to both the northern and southern legs of Dyer Avenue. The northern leg leads to 40th through 42nd Streets and carries northbound traffic only, while the southern leg leads to 36th through 34th Streets and carries both directions of traffic between these streets. At 36th Street, an exit ramp from the southbound Dyer Avenue leads to the Lincoln Tunnel Expressway, which continues to 31st Street (for westbound traffic) and 30th Street (for eastbound traffic). The surface section of Dyer Avenue continues to 35th Street, where westbound traffic can turn right, and then to 34th Street, where traffic can turn either left or right for eastbound and westbound traffic, respectively.<ref name="Google 2016" />

The center tube, which is reversible, ascends to ground level just southeast of 39th Street and Tenth Avenue, parallel to the southernmost tube. The tube funnels directly into the southbound Lincoln Tunnel Expressway, while an exit ramp leads to both legs of Dyer Avenue. A ramp from the northbound expressway also leads to the center tube.<ref name="Google 2016" />

The northern tube, carrying westbound traffic to New Jersey, is fed from four ramps. The first ramp originates from the intersection of 30th Street and Dyer Avenue, and leads to the northbound Lincoln Tunnel Expressway. This ramp carries traffic from both northbound Tenth Avenue and southbound Ninth Avenue. The second ramp diverges from eastbound 33rd Street and merges directly into the northbound expressway. The third ramp leads from the segment of Dyer Avenue that runs between 34th Street and 36th Street. This ramp carries traffic only from westbound 34th Street, but also contains interchanges with westbound 35th Street and both directions of 36th Street. The third ramp then merges with the expressway, which descends into a short tunnel until 10th Avenue and 40th Street. At this point, the highway surfaces and there is an option to exit on the left, to westbound 39th Street. This is marked as the last exit in New York. The fourth ramp merges with highway traffic at this point, carrying traffic from the intersection of 40th Street and Galvin Avenue. Traffic traveling eastbound on 40th Street is forced to enter this ramp, while westbound traffic on 40th Street and southbound traffic on Galvin Avenue have the option to either enter the ramp or continue on 40th Street. After the fourth ramp merges into the westbound expressway, the roadway dips into the northern tube just east of Eleventh Avenue.<ref name="Google 2016" />

=== Exclusive bus lane ===
[[File:Lincoln Tunnel Helix-XBL-Weehawken.tiff|thumb|Lincoln Tunnel Helix during AM rush hour with buses using a normally westbound lane to approach tunnel toll plaza]]

During the morning rush hour, one traffic lane in the center tube, the [[Bus rapid transit in New Jersey#Lincoln Tunnel express bus lane|Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane]] (XBL), is used only by buses. It is fed by the [[New Jersey Turnpike]] at Exits&nbsp;16E and 17, and [[New Jersey Route 3]].<ref name="panynj-xbl">{{cite web |url=http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-xbl.html |title=Exclusive Bus Lane – Lincoln Tunnel |date=July 19, 2021 |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |access-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326000952/http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-xbl.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The XBL is by far the busiest and most productive [[bus lane]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/tunnels/pdfs/01_09_XBL-II_nwslttr_285fri.pdf |title=Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane Enhancement Study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214034331/http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/tunnels/pdfs/01_09_XBL-II_nwslttr_285fri.pdf |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |archive-date=December 14, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 28, 2007}}</ref> The lane operates weekday mornings from 6:00 to 10:00&nbsp;a.m., accommodating approximately 1,850&nbsp;buses and 70,000&nbsp;commuters, most of whom continue to the [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]].<ref name="panynj-xbl" /> The ridership on the buses using the XBL is higher than that on [[NJ Transit]]'s [[NJ Transit Rail Operations|commuter rail]] into [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|Penn Station]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Making Life Easier for Bus Riders |last=Lavitt |first=Michael |date=June 1, 2005 |newspaper=[[The Times (Trenton)|The Times]] |location=Trenton, NJ}}</ref> Over 100 bus carriers utilize the Exclusive Bus Lane.<ref name="PANYNJ12">{{cite web |url=http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-xbl.html |title=The Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane |date=December 28, 2012 |work=Lincoln Tunnel |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |access-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326000952/http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/lincoln-tunnel-xbl.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[New Jersey Transit bus operations|New Jersey Transit]] operates fifty-seven [[List of New Jersey Transit bus routes (100–199)|interstate bus routes]] through the Lincoln Tunnel, as do numerous regional and long-distance companies.<ref name="study2">{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/06/port_authority_bus_terminal_replace.html |title=Port Authority looking into expanding, replacing Manhattan bus terminal |last=Strunsky |first=Steve |date=June 27, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Star-Ledger]] |access-date=June 27, 2013 |via=NJ.com |archive-date=July 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701014719/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/06/port_authority_bus_terminal_replace.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The XBL was first proposed in 1964, when studies were conducted to address the feasibility of such a bus lane during the weekday morning peak period.<ref>{{cite report |url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp90v1_cs/NewYork.pdf |title=New York, New York (USA) Bus Lanes and Limited-Stop Service |publisher=Transit Cooperative Research Program/FTA |volume=1 |access-date=June 30, 2013 |work=TCRP Report 90 |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115200740/http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp90v1_cs/NewYork.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The XBL was approved on a trial basis in September 1970, since buses from New Jersey would be stuck in the heavy congestion within the tunnel approaches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/11/archives/special-bus-lane-backed-in-jersey-tristate-body-plans-a-test-if-us.html |title=Special Bus Lane Backed in Jersey |date=September 11, 1970 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=April 9, 2018 |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919143121/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/11/archives/special-bus-lane-backed-in-jersey-tristate-body-plans-a-test-if-us.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This bus lane was implemented in December of the same year, exclusively carrying buses during morning rush hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/12/19/archives/special-lane-for-buses-speeds-jersey-riders.html |title=Special Lane for Buses Speeds Jersey Riders |last=Hudson |first=Edward |date=December 19, 1970 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=April 9, 2018 |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409111803/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/12/19/archives/special-lane-for-buses-speeds-jersey-riders.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the success of the bus lane, it was made permanent after the year-long trial ended.<ref name="Prial 1971" /> The XBL was suspended in March 2020 in conjunction with restrictions related to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]], and was reinstated in September as traffic reached pre-pandemic levels.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Larry |last=Higgs |date=September 18, 2020 |title=NYC bus commuters rejoice, you're getting your exclusive lane back |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2020/09/nyc-bus-commuters-rejoice-youre-getting-your-exclusive-lane-back.html |access-date=September 18, 2020 |website=nj |language=en |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429011243/https://www.nj.com/news/2020/09/nyc-bus-commuters-rejoice-youre-getting-your-exclusive-lane-back.html |url-status=live }}</ref>