New Jersey Route 495

Route 495

Company type	State highway
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1937
Headquarters	Hudson County , United States
Area served	Hudson County, New Jersey
Products	Controlled-access highway

Route 495 is a state highway located in Hudson County, New Jersey, linking the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) at exits 16E-17 in Secaucus with New York State Route 495 (NY 495) inside the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken. This route provides a direct connection to Midtown Manhattan. Ownership is divided among the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), which controls the segment from the Turnpike to Route 3; the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), responsible for the stretch between Route 3 and Park Avenue near the border of Union City and Weehawken; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), which manages the section east of Park Avenue, including the helix viaduct that descends the New Jersey Palisades to the tunnel entrance. Route 495 functions mainly as a six-lane controlled-access highway featuring a reversible bus lane during morning peak hours that extends into the central tube of the Lincoln Tunnel.

The earliest portion of what is now Route 495, located at the Lincoln Tunnel entrance, was constructed in 1937 coinciding with the tunnel's opening. The distinctive oval-shaped helix descending to the tunnel was finished in 1939, at which time the route was also extended westward to connect with Route 3 as its eastern extension. The western segment was inaugurated in 1952 along with the completion of the New Jersey Turnpike. In 1959, this roadway was incorporated into the Interstate Highway System as part of 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 designation was changed to New Jersey Route 495 in 1979, with updated signage installed by 1989.

Route description

Route 495 commences at exit 16E on the northbound New Jersey Turnpike, near the boundary between Secaucus and North Bergen. This six-lane controlled-access freeway, under NJTA jurisdiction, proceeds eastward through North Bergen. It features an interchange with Route 3, allowing access to eastbound Route 3 and U.S. Route 1/9 (US 1/9) from its eastbound lanes, and westbound Route 3 from its westbound lanes. This junction serves as a critical connection point since many travelers use Route 3 to reach Route 495 en route to the Lincoln Tunnel. Shortly beyond this interchange, Route 3 terminates at US 1/9. Despite forming a triangular intersection among these three routes, Route 495 does not provide direct access to US 1/9; motorists must utilize the Route 3 interchange for such connections.

Continuing eastward, maintenance responsibility shifts to NJDOT for this six-lane freeway segment. The highway crosses above rail lines before reaching a partial interchange with US 1/9, offering a westbound exit and an eastbound entrance. It then intersects with CR 501 (John F. Kennedy Boulevard), which operates collector–distributor roads along adjacent streets. The route passes through residential neighborhoods in Union City, passing beneath multiple streets, before entering Weehawken where there is a westbound exit and eastbound entrance at Park Avenue providing access to both Weehawken and Hoboken. At this point, maintenance duties transfer to the PANYNJ.

In Weehawken, Route 495 traverses the Helix, a spiraling viaduct that completes a full circle while descending the height of the New Jersey Palisades down to the entrance of the Lincoln Tunnel beneath the Hudson River. Near where this helix begins lies Weehawken Stadium. Before entering the tunnel itself, there is a westbound exit and eastbound entrance for CR 677 (John F. Kennedy/Hudson Boulevard East). At the New York state boundary beneath the Hudson River, Route 495 continues as NY 495, distinct from I-495, leading into Midtown Manhattan.

Since its introduction in 1970, one lane traveling westbound during morning peak periods has been converted into a reversible bus lane known as the "Exclusive Bus Lane" (XBL). The Port Authority oversees its daily management including incident handling. This lane accommodates buses heading east from both the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3 toward Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal, serving over 1,800 buses and approximately 65,000 commuters on weekday mornings between 6 and 10 a.m. The XBL holds distinction as the busiest bus-only lane across the United States.

The lanes within the Lincoln Tunnel’s center tube are reversible: during morning rush hours both lanes carry traffic bound for Manhattan; during evening rush hours both lanes serve traffic heading back to New Jersey; at other times one lane operates in each direction. Commonly, traffic returning to New Jersey uses both north tube lanes while Manhattan-bound vehicles utilize both south tube lanes.

Traffic volumes on Route 495 reach about 74,571 vehicles near its western origin and increase to roughly 119,432 vehicles close to the Lincoln Tunnel entrance. It ranks among some of the most heavily congested corridors along the East Coast; as of , motorists cumulatively spend an estimated total of around 3.4 million hours annually stuck in traffic on this route.

History

Originally built to serve as an access route to the Lincoln Tunnel, the initial segment of this road opened on December 22, 1937. This portion linked the tunnel entrance southward through toll plazas to a plaza connecting with Park Avenue and Hudson County’s Boulevard East. Simultaneously, Marginal Street was inaugurated, providing a connection from Hudson County Boulevard East westward across Park Avenue to 32nd Street and the Bergen Turnpike. In 1939, the Port Authority extended this approach by constructing a helix and continuing westward to New Jersey Route 3, officially designating it as an eastern extension of Route 3. The final stretch of what is now Route 495 became operational on January 15, 1952, coinciding with the completion of the New Jersey Turnpike. This section included interchanges facilitating traffic flow between Route 3 and both directions of the Turnpike.

Following the establishment of the Interstate Highway System in 1956, plans were made to incorporate the Lincoln Tunnel approach as an Interstate extension of Route 3. However, due to the high costs associated with upgrading Route 3 itself, it was excluded from the system. The Lincoln Tunnel approach was nevertheless included and re-designated as I-495 in 1959, despite not fully conforming to Interstate standards at that time. Subsequent upgrades brought the western segment into compliance, especially around interchanges with the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3. I-495 was originally intended to link with New York’s I-495 through the proposed but ultimately canceled Mid-Manhattan Expressway. Lacking this connection, the New Jersey Department of Transportation began referring to it simply as Route 495 starting in 1979. Between 1980 and 1986, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved removing portions of I-495 designation in New Jersey.

Beginning at the viaduct spanning Conrail rail lines west of US 1/9, the eastbound roadway qualifies for inclusion on the state historic register due to its notable engineering and architectural features. This designation encompasses elements such as the Lincoln Tunnel Approach and Helix, along with tunnels, toll facilities, and ventilation structures.

The Helix provides expansive views of Manhattan’s skyline, a vista safeguarded by local zoning regulations that limit visual obstructions. Despite these protections, by June 2013 construction of a residential building partially obstructed views from lower vantage points. As of 2015, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) estimated that the Helix had approximately ten years remaining before major rehabilitation or replacement would be necessary. Alternatives under consideration include constructing tunnels beneath the Palisades to establish a direct connection to Lincoln Tunnel portals.

In June 2018, a comprehensive multi-year refurbishment was announced by the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the North Bergen Viaduct crossing US 1/9 and Conrail tracks. During this rehabilitation effort, travel lanes were temporarily reduced from four to three in each direction to ensure safety while structural improvements were carried out.

Exit list

{{NJint |location=Union City |mile=1.23 |road= |}

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)