178th-179th Street Tunnels
Encyclopedia
The 178th and 179th Street Tunnels are two defunct vehicular tunnel
s in Upper Manhattan
in the state of New York
. Originally conceived and constructed under the auspices of Robert Moses
, the twin tunnels have been superseded by the Trans-Manhattan Expressway
in Washington Heights
.
In the 1950s, the Trans-Manhattan Expressway (Interstate 95
) was constructed by Robert Moses and by 1962, the two tunnels were out of commission. The tunnels, both 178th and 179th, are being used by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
.
, New York public works baron Robert Moses
started work on a bypass in Manhattan of the Washington Heights area to serve the George Washington Bridge. Originally, only the 178th Street Tunnel existed, being constructed in 1940 and serving both directions. Construction began on the 179th Street Tunnel in March 1949 and was completed over two years later. At that time, the 178th Street Tunnel was reconfigured to serve eastbound traffic only, while the 179th served the westbound. The two tunnels had a similar display, with a stone arch for portals and "Whitestone" light posts.
However, the traffic used on the George Washington Bridge began to overwhelm the amount heading into the twin two-lane tunnels. In addition, along with the ventilation system unable to produce for many years after, a new system had to be constructed. The plans for the Trans-Manhattan Expressway were conceived in 1955 and seven years later, the new expressway opened to traffic.
Although the two tunnels were abandoned, there are proposals to use them again for vehicular traffic. A study was completed in the 21st century, in which the tunnels would be rehabilitated and reused as part of reconstruction of the highway and the Alexander Hamilton Bridge
. However, the two tunnels are currently being used by the Port Authority as storage space.
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
s in Upper Manhattan
Upper Manhattan
Upper Manhattan denotes the more northerly region of the New York City Borough of Manhattan. Its southern boundary may be defined anywhere between 59th Street and 155th Street. Between these two extremes lies the most common definitions of Upper Manhattan as Manhattan above 96th Street...
in the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Originally conceived and constructed under the auspices of Robert Moses
Robert Moses
Robert Moses was the "master builder" of mid-20th century New York City, Long Island, Rockland County, and Westchester County, New York. As the shaper of a modern city, he is sometimes compared to Baron Haussmann of Second Empire Paris, and is one of the most polarizing figures in the history of...
, the twin tunnels have been superseded by the Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
The Trans-Manhattan Expressway or George Washington Bridge Expressway is a highway in New York City that is part of the Interstate Highway System. Though few of the millions who use it or live near it have ever heard the name, it is probably one of the shortest, busiest, and most congested named...
in Washington Heights
Washington Heights, Manhattan
Washington Heights is a New York City neighborhood in the northern reaches of the borough of Manhattan. It is named for Fort Washington, a fortification constructed at the highest point on Manhattan island by Continental Army troops during the American Revolutionary War, to defend the area from the...
.
In the 1950s, the Trans-Manhattan Expressway (Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
) was constructed by Robert Moses and by 1962, the two tunnels were out of commission. The tunnels, both 178th and 179th, are being used by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
.
History
After the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, New York public works baron Robert Moses
Robert Moses
Robert Moses was the "master builder" of mid-20th century New York City, Long Island, Rockland County, and Westchester County, New York. As the shaper of a modern city, he is sometimes compared to Baron Haussmann of Second Empire Paris, and is one of the most polarizing figures in the history of...
started work on a bypass in Manhattan of the Washington Heights area to serve the George Washington Bridge. Originally, only the 178th Street Tunnel existed, being constructed in 1940 and serving both directions. Construction began on the 179th Street Tunnel in March 1949 and was completed over two years later. At that time, the 178th Street Tunnel was reconfigured to serve eastbound traffic only, while the 179th served the westbound. The two tunnels had a similar display, with a stone arch for portals and "Whitestone" light posts.
However, the traffic used on the George Washington Bridge began to overwhelm the amount heading into the twin two-lane tunnels. In addition, along with the ventilation system unable to produce for many years after, a new system had to be constructed. The plans for the Trans-Manhattan Expressway were conceived in 1955 and seven years later, the new expressway opened to traffic.
Although the two tunnels were abandoned, there are proposals to use them again for vehicular traffic. A study was completed in the 21st century, in which the tunnels would be rehabilitated and reused as part of reconstruction of the highway and the Alexander Hamilton Bridge
Alexander Hamilton Bridge
The Alexander Hamilton Bridge carries eight lanes of traffic over the Harlem River in New York City between the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, connecting the Trans-Manhattan Expressway in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan and the Cross-Bronx Expressway, as part of Interstate 95...
. However, the two tunnels are currently being used by the Port Authority as storage space.
See also
- Sideling Hill TunnelSideling Hill TunnelSideling Hill Tunnel is one of three original Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels abandoned after two massive realignment projects. The others are nearby Rays Hill Tunnel, and further west, the Laurel Hill Tunnel. It was less expensive to realign the Turnpike than to bore a second tube for four lane...
and Rays Hill TunnelRays Hill TunnelRays Hill Tunnel is one of three original Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels which were abandoned after two massive realignment projects. The others included the Sideling Hill Tunnel, and further west, the Laurel Hill Tunnel. The reason for abandonment was because it was thought to be less expensive...
- 2 vehicular tunnels on the Abandoned Pennsylvania TurnpikeAbandoned Pennsylvania TurnpikeThe Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is the common name of a 13 mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike that was bypassed in 1968 when a modern stretch opened to ease traffic congestion in the tunnels. In this case, the Sideling Hill Tunnel and Rays Hill Tunnel were bypassed, as was one of the...
.