178th–179th Street Tunnels
| Company type | Abandoned tunnels |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation infrastructure |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Founder | Robert Moses |
| Defunct | 1962 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Owner | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
The 178th and 179th Street Tunnels are two abandoned vehicular tunnels located in Upper Manhattan, New York City. These tunnels were originally developed under the direction of Robert Moses but were eventually replaced by the Trans-Manhattan Expressway in Washington Heights. This expressway traverses a cut topped by high-rise residential buildings.
During the 1950s, the Trans-Manhattan Expressway (I-95) was constructed to serve as a high-speed interstate alternative to these tunnels. By 1962, both tunnels had been shut down and have since been repurposed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for storage purposes.
History
The tunnels were engineered to link Upper Manhattan’s east side with the George Washington Bridge, which opened in 1931, on the west side. Initially, only the 178th Street Tunnel was completed—a tube measuring wide with a clearance of —designed to facilitate traffic flow to and from the bridge. At its eastern terminus, it divided into ramps leading to Amsterdam Avenue and the Harlem River Drive. Although approved in 1930 and nearly finished by early 1932, its inauguration was postponed until traffic volumes warranted its use. Construction resumed in 1938 in anticipation of the 1939 New York World's Fair. After delays caused by issues with the Harlem River Drive ramp, it officially opened on June 27, 1940, accommodating traffic in both directions. The tunnel was closed during World War II due to labor shortages and reduced traffic levels but reopened in November 1945.
Although planned concurrently with its counterpart in 1930, the 179th Street Tunnel was only opened once traffic demand increased significantly. By the late 1940s, rising congestion led to construction starting in June 1949. This project included building the Highbridge Interchange with ramps linking both tunnels to Harlem River Drive, Amsterdam Avenue, and the Washington Bridge. The ramp from the 178th Street Tunnel to Harlem River Drive was removed in 1950. The construction cost for the 179th Street Tunnel was $9 million, while the Highbridge Interchange amounted to $4.6 million. Both facilities commenced operation on May 5, 1952, designating the 178th Tunnel for eastbound traffic and the 179th for westbound vehicles. Architectural features included stone arch portals and "Whitestone" style light posts.
Following World War II, public works official Robert Moses proposed a bypass to alleviate mounting traffic at the George Washington Bridge that exceeded the capacity of these narrow two-lane tunnels with limited ventilation. Conceived in 1955, the Trans-Manhattan Expressway opened seven years later, resulting in the closure of both tunnels. The entrance of the 178th Street Tunnel was briefly utilized as a garage for emergency equipment before being removed. Presently, both tunnels serve solely as storage facilities.
Although no longer operational for vehicles, there have been suggestions to refurbish and temporarily reactivate the tunnels during reconstruction efforts on the Trans-Manhattan Expressway and Alexander Hamilton Bridge. Nonetheless, these proposals never advanced, leaving the tunnels inactive for motor traffic.