The Lincoln Tunnel is a 1.5-mile long tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New York City with Weehawken, New Jersey. It is one of the busiest tunnels in the world, carrying 120,000 vehicles per day and it is the world's only three-tube tunnel that goes underwater. When you visit with your Manhattan car rental or van rental, there is a $6 toll for people traveling east into New York for all vehicles, but there is no toll going the other way. This is because the tolls on the New York side tended to back up traffic too much in Manhattan.

Travel under the Hudson

The Lincoln Tunnel was built in 1934 and opened to traffic in 1937. After the Port Authority took control of the Holland Tunnel (which opened in 1927), New York and New Jersey began work on the construction of a new "Midtown Hudson Tunnel", later called the Lincoln Tunnel. The construction of the tunnel was dangerous for those who worked underground. The crews had to enter air locks one at a time until they got to the section that was being worked on. There they could only work for brief periods of time before the pressure was too much. Safety was a priority for those constructing the tunnel, and the focus on safety resulted in the first major tunnel project to finish without a fatality. Today, the Lincoln Tunnel is still open for you for use and this three-tube tunnel is normally busy.

The second tube for the Lincoln Tunnel was constructed and opened in 1945. Traffic through the tunnel continued to increase in the post-war years. The Port Authority considered building a new tunnel from New Jersey to New York, but instead decided to build a third tube for the Lincoln Tunnel which then could control the flow of traffic (make two extra lanes in one direction, make one lane exclusively for buses, etc). The third tube of this three-tube tunnel was decided upon in 1951 and completed in 1957. They also added approach roads and a "peripheral parking area". You can get to the Lincoln Tunnel in your SUV rental or other vehicle rental via the Lincoln Tunnel Expressway. This four-lane highway connects to all three tubes of the tunnel on the Manhattan side.

Spend some time in Jersey

Weehawken is a township in New Jersey along the southern end of the New Jersey Palisades, which offer a beautiful view of the Hudson River. Hiking along the Palisades is popular at the Palisades Interstate Park, along with other activities. Within the State of New Jersey, you will find a wide range of activities all year long, including skiing, theme parks, beaches, and golfing. There are also a wide range of historical sites, including Revolutionary War sites; historical lighthouses; and National Historic Sites. It is a great place to visit if you want to explore outside of New York!

The Lincoln Tunnel is a vital part of the area, bringing traffic into the city each day and allowing you to explore more of the area!