The Holland Tunnel is the name of the most famous underwater tunnel in New York—it connects Manhattan to Jersey City under the Hudson River.
Which tunnels in New York go underwater?
The Holland Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel are the two main underwater tunnels in New York, carrying vehicular traffic between Manhattan and New Jersey.
They were built to handle the growing traffic between New York City and New Jersey without clogging up surface streets. Each tunnel has separate tubes for traffic going in opposite directions, which makes them essential for daily commutes. If you’re driving from NJ to NYC, you’ll almost certainly use one of these two.
How many workers died building the Lincoln Tunnel?
Fifteen workers died during the construction of the first two tubes of the Lincoln Tunnel, according to official records from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The 1930s construction era meant working in compressed air—a risky business for sandhogs. Those deaths happened during the initial digging; later expansions added more tubes but with better safety measures. The tunnel opened in stages between 1937 and 1957, growing as New York’s underwater network expanded.
What’s the name of New York’s most famous tunnel?
The Holland Tunnel is the name of the first and most iconic vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting Canal Street in Manhattan to Jersey City, NJ.
Named after its chief engineer, Clifford Holland, it opened in 1927 and was a groundbreaking achievement. The tunnel was the first in the world to use ventilated tubes to clear vehicle exhaust—a system still in use today. It basically set the blueprint for every underwater crossing that came after it.
Which tunnel is the longest in New York City?
The Queens-Midtown Tunnel is the longest vehicular tunnel in New York City, stretching 9,117 feet (2,779 meters) from midtown Manhattan to Long Island City, Queens.
Opened in 1940, it’s a major route for traffic moving between Manhattan and Queens. Unlike the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels under the Hudson River, this one runs beneath the East River. It handles four lanes of traffic and has a clearance height of 12 feet 1 inch (3.68 m), so most commercial vehicles can fit through.
Does the NYC subway actually go underwater?
Yes, parts of the NYC subway system go underwater, particularly in tunnels under the East River and Harlem River.
These underwater sections use steel-and-concrete tubes, similar to vehicular tunnels but much narrower. The 63rd Street Tunnel is the most famous example, connecting Manhattan to Queens. Other underwater sections include parts of the F train under the East River and the A train under the Harlem River. Next time your train heads toward Brooklyn or Queens, you might be cruising through one of these submerged passages.
How many sandhogs died building City Tunnel No. 3?
Twenty-four sandhogs died during the construction of City Tunnel No. 3, New York City’s massive water supply tunnel completed in the 1970s.
This tunnel stretches over 60 miles underground and supplies clean drinking water to millions of New Yorkers. Sandhogs—named for their gritty work environment—face extreme pressures and risks when digging deep below the surface. Unlike vehicular tunnels, water supply tunnels operate under immense pressure, which adds to the danger. It’s one of the largest civil engineering projects in NYC history.
How deep is the Holland Tunnel below the river?
The deepest point of the Holland Tunnel is 93 feet 5 inches (28.5 meters) below mean high water in the Hudson River.
The tunnel’s two tubes dip to this depth to keep a steady grade for vehicles. Engineers calculated this carefully to avoid the riverbed’s soft mud while ensuring safe passage for ships above. The tunnel is about 8,558 feet (2,608 m) long for the north tube and 8,371 feet (2,551 m) for the south tube—a short but deep underwater trip.
Is the Lincoln Tunnel fully underwater?
Yes, the Lincoln Tunnel goes underwater for its entire length, with a maximum depth of 95 feet below the surface at its deepest point.
Built in stages between 1937 and 1957, the tunnel has three tubes, each handling traffic in one direction. The deepest section is near mid-river, where the tunnel dips to accommodate shipping lanes above. It handles over 120,000 vehicles daily, making it one of the busiest underwater crossings anywhere.
Do you pay the Lincoln Tunnel toll both ways?
No—tolls are only collected in the New York-bound direction at the Lincoln Tunnel, even though traffic flows in both directions.
This one-way toll system applies to all six tolled crossings managed by the Port Authority. As of 2026, tolls are charged electronically via E-ZPass or through a mail-in bill for vehicles without it. The toll helps fund maintenance and operations for this aging but vital infrastructure. Drivers heading from New Jersey to New York pay, but those returning to NJ don’t.
How much does it cost to cross the Brooklyn Bridge?
It costs nothing to cross the Brooklyn Bridge—whether you walk, bike, or drive.
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the few iconic NYC landmarks that remains completely free. Built between 1869 and 1883, it spans 5,989 feet (1,825 m) across the East River. Walking or biking across offers some of the best skyline views in the city, while drivers can use it to dodge tolls on other crossings. It’s a rare free ride with a view.
What’s the toll from New Jersey to New York in 2026?
As of 2026, the cash toll from NJ to NY is $15 for standard two-axle vehicles, with E-ZPass rates starting at $10.50 depending on time of day.
Tolls are only collected for New York-bound traffic at most Hudson River crossings. Peak-hour E-ZPass rates are higher to manage congestion, while off-peak rates offer discounts. Check the Port Authority website for updated rates before traveling—tolls can increase annually to fund infrastructure projects.
Are there secret tunnels hiding under New York?
Yes, New York City has numerous hidden tunnels underground, including seven notable secret tunnels used for mail, utilities, and transportation.
Some, like the Farley-Morgan Postal Tunnel, were built to move mail between facilities without causing surface disruption. Others, like the Columbia University Steam Tunnels, still carry steam for heating buildings. The Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, built in 1844, predates the subway and is one of the oldest rail tunnels in the U.S. These tunnels are mostly off-limits to the public but quietly keep the city running.
Are there abandoned subway tunnels in New York?
Yes, there are abandoned subway tunnels and stations in New York City, though most are preserved or repurposed.
The most famous is the City Hall station, closed in 1940 but reopened for tours by the New York Transit Museum. Other abandoned stations, like the old South Ferry loop, were replaced by modern infrastructure. Some tunnels are sealed off, while others are used for storage or emergency access. The Transit Museum offers guided tours into these hidden spaces, giving the public a rare glimpse into NYC’s transit history.
Do you pay to cross the Brooklyn Bridge?
No—there is no toll to cross the Brooklyn Bridge in either direction.
Unlike the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, the bridge remains completely free for all users. It’s one of the few major crossings in NYC that doesn’t charge a fee, making it a popular route for drivers trying to avoid tolls. Just be prepared for heavy pedestrian and bike traffic during rush hour—it’s not just a drive-through.
How did they actually build NYC’s underwater tunnels?
The Holland Tunnel was built using a “shield-and-compressed-air” method, where workers excavated mud from within pressurized cylindrical shields.
These shields kept the riverbed from collapsing while crews installed iron rings lined with concrete to form the tunnel walls. The north and south tubes were dug simultaneously from both sides of the river and met in 1924. Special ventilation towers were built to pump fresh air into the tunnels—an innovative solution at the time to handle car exhaust. The result? The world’s first mechanically ventilated underwater vehicular tunnel. Honestly, this is the best approach engineers could have taken for such a challenging project.
Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.
