Lincoln Tunnel Approach and Helix

Route 495 (New Jersey)

Company type	State highway
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1937
Headquarters	Hudson County , United States
Area served	Hudson County, New Jersey
Products	Controlled-access highway
Owner	New Jersey Turnpike Authority, New Jersey Department of Transportation, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Route 495 is a state highway situated in Hudson County, New Jersey, connecting the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) at exits 16E-17 in Secaucus with New York State Route 495 (NY 495) inside the Lincoln Tunnel located in Weehawken. This route offers a direct corridor to Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Responsibility for its upkeep is shared among the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) from the Turnpike to Route 3, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) from Route 3 to Park Avenue near the Union City–Weehawken boundary, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) beyond Park Avenue, including the distinctive helix viaduct that spirals down the New Jersey Palisades toward the tunnel entrance. This predominantly six-lane controlled-access expressway includes a reversible bus lane during morning peak hours extending through the Lincoln Tunnel’s central tube.

The segment adjoining the Lincoln Tunnel was constructed in 1937, coinciding with the tunnel’s inauguration. The helix viaduct—a circular ramp descending to the tunnel portal—was completed two years later in 1939, which was also when Route 495 was extended westward to Route 3 as an eastern continuation of that route. The western section was opened in 1952 alongside the completion of the New Jersey Turnpike. In 1959, this roadway became part of the Interstate Highway System under the designation Interstate 495 (I-495). Following the cancellation of the Mid-Manhattan Expressway project—which would have linked it to New York’s I-495 (Long Island Expressway)—the interstate label was rescinded in 1979 and replaced by New Jersey Route 495 signage by 1989.

Route description

Route 495 originates at exit 16E off the northbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike, near the border between Secaucus and North Bergen. This six-lane controlled-access freeway, managed by the NJTA, proceeds eastward through North Bergen. It intersects with Route 3, offering connections to eastbound Route 3 and U.S. Route 1/9 (US 1/9) for traffic heading east, and access to westbound Route 3 for traffic traveling west. This interchange serves as a crucial node since many travelers utilize Route 3 to reach Route 495 en route to the Lincoln Tunnel. Shortly beyond this point, Route 3 terminates at US 1/9. Although these three routes form a triangular interchange, Route 495 does not provide direct access to US 1/9; motorists must use Route 3 exits to connect.

Beyond this junction, Route 495 continues as a six-lane freeway under NJDOT maintenance, crossing over railway tracks before reaching a partial interchange with US 1/9 that includes a westbound exit and an eastbound entrance ramp. It then connects with CR 501 (John F. Kennedy Boulevard), which utilizes adjacent streets—30th and 31st Streets—as collector–distributor lanes. Eastward, Route 495 enters Union City, passing beneath multiple local streets within residential neighborhoods. Upon entering Weehawken, it features a westbound exit and eastbound entrance for Park Avenue, serving both Weehawken and nearby Hoboken, where maintenance responsibility shifts to the PANYNJ.

At this point, the highway traverses The Helix, a prominent spiral bridge making a full circle as it descends from the heights of the New Jersey Palisades down toward the Lincoln Tunnel entrance beneath the Hudson River. Near The Helix’s commencement, Route 495 passes by Weehawken Stadium and later runs underneath it. Before entering the tunnel itself, there is a westbound exit and eastbound entrance for CR 677 (John F. Kennedy/Hudson Boulevard East). At the midpoint of the Hudson River marking New York state’s border, it continues as NY 495, distinct from I-495, leading into Midtown Manhattan.

Since its establishment in 1970, during weekday morning rush hours, one lane on the left side of three westbound lanes operates as a reversible bus-only lane known as the "Exclusive Bus Lane" (XBL). The Port Authority oversees its daily functions including activation, deactivation, and emergency management. This lane primarily serves buses arriving from both the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3 headed toward Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal, accommodating over 1,800 buses and approximately 65,000 commuters each weekday morning between 6 and 10 a.m. The XBL holds distinction as the busiest bus lane across the United States.

The Lincoln Tunnel’s center tube lanes are reversible: during weekday mornings both lanes accommodate traffic bound for Manhattan—including buses using the XBL—while evenings see both lanes dedicated to traffic returning to New Jersey. Outside peak hours, one lane operates in each direction. Typically, inbound traffic to New Jersey uses both lanes of the north tube while Manhattan-bound vehicles utilize both lanes of the south tube.

Traffic volumes on Route 495 reach around 74,571 vehicles near its western origin and increase to approximately 119,432 vehicles close to the Lincoln Tunnel. The American Highway Users Alliance identifies this corridor as one of the most heavily congested on the East Coast; as of 2018 data indicates motorists collectively experienced around 3.4 million hours annually delayed due to traffic on this route.

History

Originally built as a connector to the Lincoln Tunnel, the initial segment of this roadway opened on December 22, 1937. This stretch extended from the tunnel entrance southward, passing through toll plazas to a junction with Park Avenue and Hudson County's Boulevard East. At the same time, Marginal Street was inaugurated, providing a link from Hudson County Boulevard East westward across Park Avenue to 32nd Street and the Bergen Turnpike. In 1939, the Port Authority expanded the approach by extending it upward along the helix and westward to meet New Jersey Route 3, officially designating this extension as part of Route 3’s eastern segment. The final portion of what is now Route 495 was completed on January 15, 1952, coinciding with the opening of the New Jersey Turnpike; this included interchanges facilitating traffic flow between Route 3 and the Turnpike in both directions.

Following the establishment of the Interstate Highway System in 1956, plans were made to incorporate the Lincoln Tunnel approach as an Interstate route alongside present-day Route 3. However, Route 3 itself was excluded due to the high costs associated with necessary upgrades. The approach section was retained within the system and redesignated from Route 3 to I-495 in 1959, despite not meeting all Interstate standards at that time. Subsequent improvements were made to the western segment, enhancing interchanges at both the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3. The original intention for I-495 was to connect seamlessly with New York’s I-495 via the now-canceled Mid-Manhattan Expressway. After that project was abandoned in 1971, New Jersey started referring to this corridor as Route 495 in 1979. Between 1980 and 1986, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved removing the I-495 designation within New Jersey.

The stretch beginning at the viaduct over Conrail rail lines west of US 1/9 holds eligibility for inclusion on state historic registries due to its engineering significance, architectural features, and historical value. This recognition encompasses various components such as the Lincoln Tunnel Approach and Helix structure, tunnels, toll facilities, and ventilation towers.

Famed for its sweeping vistas of Manhattan’s skyline, the Helix is subject to local zoning restrictions that limit high-rise developments which could obstruct these views. Nevertheless, by June 2013, newly constructed residential buildings partially impaired sightlines from lower segments of the roadway. As of 2015, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) projected that the Helix’s operational lifespan would extend only about another decade. Consequently, they have been investigating alternative solutions like constructing tunnels beneath the Palisades directly linking to Lincoln Tunnel entrances.

In June 2018, a substantial rehabilitation initiative was announced by the New Jersey Department of Transportation targeting the North Bergen Viaduct section that spans US 1/9 and Conrail tracks. During this extensive project, travel lanes were temporarily reduced from four down to three lanes in each direction.

Exit list

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See also

• List of bridges, tunnels, and cuts in Hudson County, New Jersey
• Interstate 495 (New York)

External links

• Kurumi – I-495 New York
• nycroads.com – NJ 495 Freeway
• Photos of NJ 495
• NJ 495 (Greater New York Roads)