Overview: Mid-Manhattan Expressway, Cross Hudson Tunnel (I-495)

With the Onset of Congestion Pricing and the continuous push to move cars off the streets of New York City, I decided to take another look at the Mid-Manhattan Expressway Proposal and came up with a proposal.

Beginning: Mid-Manhattan Expressway

Image Source: Google Maps

The Mid-Manhattan Expressway would be constructed as two bored tunnel segments. The Tunnel Exit Street Connecting the Entrance to 34th Street would be reconfigured. The Street would instead serve as the start of the tunnel, with it going underground shortly after 36th Street. The Tunnel itself would run directly underneath 29th Street, with the Eastbound Tunnel directly underneath 28th street. There would be no exits Westbound, though possible exists connecting the West Side Highway (NY 9A) and the FDR Drive (NY 907L) could be considered.

Continuation: Cross Hudson Tunnel

The Expressway would continue as the Cross Hudson Tunnel. Tunnel would reach 16th street in Hoboken before running through the Palisades. The Tunnel would end just before the junction of NY 495 and Route 3.

Veering Northeast, the Tunnel would ultimately terminate near Route 3. One of the Park and Ride lots would have to be converted, but there could be ways to build new land over swamp

Future of the Lincoln Tunnel and NJ 495

The Lincoln Tunnel would remain to carry local traffic as well as Busing. With much of the Jersey-Queens traffic re-directed, it may reduce travel times, but it's unknown if this would result in the desired outcome. 

The NJ 495 designation would likely be done away with. Either replaced with Route 3 or another designation such as 330, which is something that I had been tinkering with, since both New York and New Jersey do not use this.

Interstate 495 Terminus

There are two hypothetical endings for I-495.

1. The Current terminus of NJ 495 onto the Eastern Spur of the New Jersey Turnpike

2. Onto an upgraded Route 3 to the Meadowlands intersection where it would end at the Western Spur of the New Jersey Turnpike

The Later proposal exists due to the possible re-designation of the Eastern Spur of the New Jersey Turnpike as Interstate 695. A General Upgrade of Route 3 was explored, but aside from being unnecessary, would be better served as an I-x80 designation 

View the Map Here