Bridges and Tunnels in New York and New Jersey in the United States

This Web Site uses UTF-8 encoding.
2007-04-06

ISO 6709 locates places in the format of +DD.DDDD-DDD.DDDD/. The United States uses right-hand traffic and the United States dollar (USD). Postcodes are ZIP (zoning improvement plan) codes, such as New York NY 10002 (NY = New York) and Jersey City NJ 07310 (NJ = New Jersey). The Dwight D. EISENHOWER National System of Interstate and Defense Highways is of the National Highway System and some segments are toll facilities in the United States.

The subway means the underground railway in this web page. Steve ANDERSON has a web site of New York Area Roads, Crossings and Exits. Fiboro Bridges have information on non-motorized access to bridges. Wheelchairs can usually pass bridges without stairs. Where pedestrians and bicycles are barred, wheelchairs and skaters are also barred.

New York and New Jersey are UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) -04:00 from 02:00 on the second Sunday in March to 02:00 on the first Sunday in November but UTC-05:00 at other times. Article 34 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of New York State and New Jersey Statutes 39:4-10.11 allow skating with but not against traffic on the roadway as long as skating is not otherwise prohibited.

The MTA New York City Bus is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

(MTA = Metropolitan Transportation Authority)

The MTA Bus Company is not New York City Bus. It has acquired:
 Liberty Lines Express since 3 January 2005
 Queens Surface since 27 February 2005
 New York Bus Service (express but no local buses) since 1 July 2005
 Green Bus Lines since 9 January 2006
 Jamaica Buses since 30 January 2006
 Triboro Coach since 20 February 2006
 Command Bus since 5 December 2005

The MTA New York City Subway is accessible to wheelchairs in limited stations only.

The Port Authority Trans-Hudson is partially accessible to wheelchairs.

New Jersey Transit is partially accessible to wheelchairs.

New York City Department of Transportation: Bridges Information
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
New York State Thruway Authority
New York State Bridge Authority
Some other bridges outside New York City
Improving tolling on river crossings
E-ZPass Customer Service Centers
Improving non-motorized access on river crossings
Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program Proposal
Proposal for Bikeways and Walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel

New York City Department of Transportation: Bridges Information

East River Bridges set forth in §4-07(i)
Other fixed bridges set forth in §4-07(i)
Movable bridges set forth in §4-07(i)
Other movable bridges
Some other bridges and tunnels

This department operates the fare-free Staten Island Ferry between the Saint George Ferry Terminal (+40.6431-074.0747/) in Staten Island and the Whitehall Terminal (+40.7009-074.0131/) in Manhattan. Its bridges have no tolls, but they are proposed for all East River Bridges set forth in §4-07(i).

Trucks with 2 axles and 6 tires or at least 3 axles are to follow the truck routes in Section 4-13 of the New York City Traffic Rules. Trucks going through a borough without stopping over must use the through truck routes. Local truck routes are for trucks with origins, stops or destinations in a borough. See also the Truck Route Maps.

Section 4-07(c)(3)(i) of the New York City Traffic Rules prohibits bicycling on sidewalks unless permitted by sign. Children of 12 years or less in age who operate bicycles with wheels of less than 26 inches (66 cm) in diameter are exempt.

Section 19-176 of the New York City Administrative Code prohibits bicycling on sidewalks unless permitted by an official sign. A general violator is civilly fined up to 100 United States dollars. A violator endangering any other person or property is civilly fined 100 to 300 dollars and guilty of a misdemeanor with a criminal fine of up to 100 dollars, imprisonment of up to 20 days, or both. An extra civil penalty of 100 to 200 dollars may be imposed where physical contact existed between the rider and someone else. Offending bicycle endangering any other person or property may be seized and impounded pending disposition of the case.

New York City law permits skating on sidewalks but prohibits reckless behavior. Section 19-176.1 of the New York City Administrative Code prohibits reckless operation of roller skates, in-line skates and skateboards on a public street, highway or sidewalk. A violator is fined 50 to 100 United States dollars.

Section 4-12(o)(1) of the New York City Traffic Rules prohibits pedestrians, riders of horses, and operators of bicycles and limited use vehicles (defined in §4-01(b) as motor vehicles other than motorcycles with top speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h)) on bridges and highways set forth in §4-07(i), unless signs permit them. Many bridges have pathways, and many expressways have service roads permitting these travelers. Restricted highways set forth in §4-07(i) are of the National Highway System and as follows with no commercial traffic on parkways:

Manhattan Borough = New York County:

NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC:
 Miller Highway (State Route 9A) (elevated portion of the West Side (Joe DiMAGGIO) Highway)
 Franklin Delano ROOSEVELT Drive
 Harlem River Drive

Manhattan-Bronx: NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC: Henry HUDSON Parkway (mostly State Route 9A)

Bronx Borough = Bronx County:

Bruckner Expressway (Interstate 278, Interstate 95)
Cross Bronx Expressway and Extension (Interstate 95, Interstate 295)
Major Deegan Expressway (Interstate 87)
Governor Thomas E. DEWEY Thruway (New England Section) (Interstate 95)
Sheridan Expressway (Interstate 878)
Throgs Neck Expressway (Interstate 695)

NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC:
 Bronx River Parkway
 Hutchinson River Parkway
 Mosholu Parkway Extension

Brooklyn Borough = Kings County:

Gowanus Expressway (Interstate 278)
Prospect Expressway (State Route 27)

Brooklyn-Queens:

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (Interstate 278)

NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC:
 Belt Parkway System:
  Shore Parkway
  Southern Parkway
  Laurelton Parkway
  Cross Island Parkway
 Jackie ROBINSON Parkway

Queens Borough = Queens County:

Clearview Expressway (Interstate 295)
Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495)
Van Wyck Expressway and Extension (Interstate 678)
Whitestone Expressway (Interstate 678)
Nassau Expressway (State Route 878)
Northern Boulevard (State Route 25A):
 From Astoria Boulevard and Ditmars Boulevard Entrance to Linden Place Exit 
 Elevated Section from 112th Place to 126th Street

NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC with some exception: Grand Central Parkway

Staten Island Borough = Richmond County:

Staten Island Expressway (Interstate 278)
Martin Luther KING Expressway (State Route 440)
West Shore Expressway (State Route 440)

NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC: Richmond Parkway

East River Bridges set forth in §4-07(i)

All are of the National Highway System.

Brooklyn Bridge
+40.7061-073.9968/ Brooklyn NY 11201 - New York NY 10038
NO TRUCKS OR BUSES
HEIGHT LIMIT 11 feet (3.35 m)
WEIGHT LIMIT 3 tons (2.7 t)

6 lanes on 2 roadways
Pedestrians, skates, bicycles and wheelchairs use the central promenade.

Manhattan Bridge
+40.7072-073.9906/ Brooklyn NY 11201 - New York NY 10002
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE

Upper level: 4 lanes on 2 roadways
Lower level: 3 lanes and 2 Subway (B, D, N, Q) tracks

Bicycles use the ramped northeast path. Pedestrians use the southwest path with stairs.

New York City Bus: B51

Williamsburg Bridge
+40.7136-073.9719/ New York NY 10002 - Brooklyn NY 11211
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE

8 lanes on 4 roadways and 2 Subway (J, M, Z) tracks exist. Each roadway has 2 lanes.
The North and South Inner Roadways have the HEIGHT LIMIT of 10 feet 6 inches (3.20 m). 

Pedestrians, skates, bicycles and wheelchairs use the north or south path.
Either path is closed.

New York City Bus: B39

Eastbound express buses to Queens:
MTA Bus: QM1 QM1A, QM11, QM24

Queensboro Bridge (State Route 25)
+40.7563-073.9534/ New York NY 10022 - Long Island City NY 11101
LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE in Manhattan
THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE in Queens

Inner lower level: 4 lanes on 2 roadways where trucks must use on the bridge

Upper level:
NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC
4 lanes on 2 roadways
HEIGHT LIMIT 12 feet (3.65 m); 11 feet (3.35 m) at Queens Plaza North at 21st Street

South Upper roadway:
Except 05:30--11:00, Monday - Friday: Eastbound to Queens
06:00--10:00, Monday - Friday: Westbound HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLES with 2 or more people

South Outer Roadway:
PASSENGER CARS ONLY
HEIGHT LIMIT 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m)
1 eastbound lane

The North Outer Roadway is for pedestrians, skates, bicycles and wheelchairs.

New York City Bus: Q32
MTA Bus: Q60, Q101

Eastbound express buses to Queens:
New York City Bus: X51, X63, X64, X68
MTA Bus: QM1, QM1A, QM2, QM2A, QM3, QM4, QM10, QM12, QM15, QM16, QM17, QM18, QM21, QM22, QM24

Other fixed bridges set forth in §4-07(i)

All are of the National Highway System and of the CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTES.
No non-motorized traffic is allowed.

Alexander HAMILTON Bridge (Interstate 95, United States Route 1)
Harlem River
+40.8454-073.9287/ New York NY 10033 - Bronx NY 10452

8 lanes on 2 roadways

Kosciuszko Bridge (Interstate 278) (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway)
Newtown Creek
+40.7275-073.9294/ Brooklyn NY 11222 - Maspeth NY 11378

6 lanes on 2 roadways

New York City Bus: B24

Eastbound express buses to Queens:
MTA Bus: QM1, QM1A, QM11, QM24

Midtown Highway Bridge (Interstate 495) (Long Island Expressway)
Dutch Kills
+40.7395-073.9416/ Long Island City NY 11101

6 lanes on 2 roadways

Express buses (westbound to Manhattan only unless otherwise noted):
New York City Bus: X51 X63 X64 and X68
MTA Bus: BQM1 (2-way service), QM23 (2-way); QM1, QM1A, QM2, QM2A, QM3, QM4, QM10, QM11, QM12, QM15, QM16, QM17, QM18, QM21, QM24

Whitestone Expressway Bridge (Interstate 678)
Flushing River
+40.7655-073.8394/ Corona NY 11368 - Flushing NY 11354

8 lanes on 2 roadways

Express buses: MTA Bus: QM2, QM2A

Movable bridges set forth in §4-07(i)

Third Avenue Bridge
Willis Avenue Bridge
Eastern Boulevard Bridge
Unionport Bridge
Hutchinson River Parkway Extension Bridge
Mill Basin Bridge

Third Avenue Bridge
Harlem River
+40.8071-073.9334/ Bronx NY 10454 - New York NY 10035
National Highway System
THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE in the Bronx
LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE in Manhattan

4 lanes on 2 roadways allow southbound ONE-WAY traffic to Manhattan only.
2 sidewalks and access of pedestrians, skates and bicycles exist.

New York City Bus: Bx15

Willis Avenue Bridge
Harlem River
+40.8036-073.9291/ New York NY 10035 - Bronx NY 10454
National Highway System
LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE in Manhattan
THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE in the Bronx

4 lanes on 1 roadway allow northbound ONE-WAY traffic to the Bronx only.
2 sidewalks and access of pedestrians, skates and bicycles exist.

New York City Bus: Bx15

Eastern Boulevard Bridge
Bronx River
+40.8227-073.8845/ Bronx NY 10474

Interstate 278 (Bruckner Expressway):
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE
6 lanes on 2 roadways
MTA Bus: BxM7, BxM7A, BxM7B, BxM9, BxM10

Bruckner Boulevard:
National Highway System
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE
4 lanes on 2 roadways
2 sidewalks on both sides and non-motorized access exist.
New York City Bus: Bx5

Unionport Bridge
Westchester Creek
+40.8283-073.8423/ Bronx NY 10472 - 10465
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 1 roadway
1 sidewalk and non-motorized access exist.

New York City Bus: Bx5, Q44
MTA Bus: BxM7A

Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge
Hutchinson River
+40.8688-073.8210/ Bronx NY 10475 - 10464
National Highway System
NO TRUCKS OR BUSES without permits

6 lanes on 2 roadways

Non-motorized access: west sidewalk (no wheelchairs due to rough approaches hampering access)
The Pelham Bridge 700 m away is an alternative.

Westchester County Bee-Line System: 45

Mill Basin Bridge (Shore Parkway)
Mill Basin
+40.6046-073.8987/ Brooklyn NY 11234
National Highway System
NO TRUCKS OR BUSES without permits
WEIGHT LIMIT 5 tons (4.5 t)

6 lanes on 2 roadways
Pedestrians, skates and bicycles use 2 sidewalks on both sides of the Belt Parkway.

Other movable bridges

Roosevelt Island Bridge
Pelham Bridge
Wards Island Bridge
Madison Avenue Bridge
145th Street Bridge
Macombs Dam Bridge
University Heights Bridge
Broadway Bridge
Union Street Bridge
Carroll Street Bridge
Third Street Bridge
Ninth Street Bridge
Hamilton Avenue Bridge
Borden Avenue Bridge
Hunterspoint Avenue Bridge
Pulaski Bridge
Greenpoint Avenue Bridge
Grand Street Bridge
Metropolitan Avenue Bridge

Roosevelt Island Bridge
East Channel of the East River
+40.7631-073.9452/ Roosevelt Island NY 10044 - Astoria NY 11106
WEIGHT LIMIT 36 tons (32.6 t)

2 lanes on 1 roadway and the north sidewalk exist.
Pedestrians, skates, bicycles and wheelchairs may cross the main bridge.
In Roosevelt Island, they use the escalators or elevators on the north side.
The vehicular ramp on the south side is not meant for them.

MTA Bus: Q102

Wards Island Bridge
Harlem River
+40.7864-073.9377/ New York NY 10029 - 10035

NO MOTOR VEHICLES
Part-time non-motorized access

Madison Avenue Bridge
Harlem River
+40.8140-073.9331/ New York NY 10037 - Bronx NY 10451
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 2 roadways
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Bx33
MTA Bus: BxM2, BxM3, BxM4A, BxM4B, BxM18

145th Street Bridge
Harlem River
+40.8194-073.9331/ New York NY 10039 - Bronx NY 10451
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 2 roadways
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Bx19

Macombs Dam Bridge
Harlem River
+40.8281-073.9339/ New York NY 10039 - Bronx NY 10451
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Bx6

University Heights Bridge
Harlem River
+40.8628-073.9148/ New York NY 10034 - Bronx NY 10468
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

2 lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Bx12

Broadway Bridge (United States Route 9)
Harlem River
+40.8737-073.9110/ New York NY 10034 - 10463
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

Lower level: 4 lanes on 2 roadways and 2 sidewalks
Upper level: 3 Subway (1, 9) tracks

New York City Bus: Bx7, Bx20
MTA Bus: BxM1

Pelham Bridge
Hutchinson River
+40.8620-073.8158/ Bronx NY 10465 - 10464
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 1 roadway
East sidewalk

New York City Bus: Bx5 (summer weekends only), Bx12 (summer only), Bx29
MTA Bus: BxM7B

Union Street Bridge
Gowanus Canal
+40.6795-073.9883/ Brooklyn NY 11231 - 11215

2 general lanes and 1 bicycle lane on 1 roadway allow eastbound ONE-WAY traffic only.
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: B71

Carroll Street Bridge
Gowanus Canal
+40.6782-073.9891/ Brooklyn NY 11231 - 11215

1 lane on 1 roadway allows eastbound ONE-WAY traffic only.
2 sidewalks

Third Street Bridge
Gowanus Canal
+40.6761-073.9901/ Brooklyn NY 11231 - 11215

2 general lanes and 1 westbound bicycle lane on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: B71 (westbound only)

Ninth Street Bridge
Gowanus Canal
+40.6741-073.9903/ Brooklyn NY 11231 - 11215
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

2 westbound lanes and 1 eastbound lane on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: B75, B77

Hamilton Avenue Bridge
Gowanus Canal
+40.6715-073.9984/ Brooklyn NY 11232 - 11231
National Highway System
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 2 roadways
2 sidewalks

Borden Avenue Bridge
Dutch Kills
+40.7390-073.9425/ Long Island City NY 11101
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

2 lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

MTA Bus: Q67

Hunterspoint Avenue Bridge
Dutch Kills
+40.7409-073.9405/ Long Island City NY 11101

2 lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

Pulaski Bridge
Newtown Creek
+40.7392-073.9526/ Brooklyn NY 11222 - Long Island City NY 11101
National Highway System

6 lanes on 2 roadways
West sidewalk

New York City Bus: B61

Greenpoint Avenue Bridge
Newtown Creek
+40.7332-073.9402/ Brooklyn NY 11222 - Long Island City NY 11101
LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE in Brooklyn
THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE in Queens

4 lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: B24

Grand Street Bridge
Newtown Creek
+40.7164-073.9225/ Brooklyn NY 11211 - Maspeth NY 11378
LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE in Brooklyn
THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE in Queens
HEIGHT LIMIT 4.1 m

2 narrow lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Q59

Metropolitan Avenue Bridge
English Kills
+40.7142-073.9311/ Brooklyn NY 11211
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Q54, Q59

Some other bridges and tunnels

Washington Bridge
City Island Bridge
Rikers Island Bridge
First Avenue Tunnel
Park Avenue Tunnel

Washington Bridge
Harlem River
+40.8467-073.9279/ New York NY 10033 - Bronx NY 10452

6 lanes on 2 roadways
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Bx3, Bx11, Bx13, Bx35, Bx36

City Island Bridge
Pelham Bay Narrows
+40.8563-073.7933/ Bronx NY 10464
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

3 lanes on 1 roadway
2 sidewalks

New York City Bus: Bx29
MTA Bus: BxM7B

Rikers Island Bridge
East River
+40.7816-073.8886/ East Elmhurst NY 11370

3 lanes on 1 roadway
1 sidewalk

MTA Bus: Q101R

First Avenue Tunnel
+40.7503-073.9686/ New York NY 10017
National Highway System
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE
HEIGHT LIMIT 13 feet 2 inches (4.01 m)

4 lanes on 2 roadways allow northbound ONE-WAY traffic only. No sidewalks exist.
Northbound trucks on First Avenue approaching the tunnel must enter the tunnel.

Park Avenue Tunnel
+40.7487-073.9801/ New York NY 10016
HEIGHT LIMIT 8 feet 11 inches (2.71 m)

2 lanes on 1 roadway allow two-way traffic. No sidewalks exist.

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

This authority is popularly known as the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) Bridges and Tunnels. All of its bridges and tunnels are tolled and of the National Highway System. It is unfirendly to non-motorists. Its arbitrary policy requiring bicycles to be walked across accessible bridges without due traffic engineering is rarely complied. Improving non-motorized access on river crossings has yet to be done. Non-motorists are neither tolled nor allowed on the roadways of the bridges or tunnels. The barriers at the E-ZPass toll lanes slow traffic down. Cash toll lanes do not accept E-ZPass. The tolls support the MTA New York City Bus, but no official provisions carry bicycles across major bridges without non-motorized access.

Bridge or tunnel                             Car toll    |Motorcycle toll
Two-way toll unless otherwise noted (USD)    Cash E-ZPass Cash E-ZPass

Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel                      4.50|4.00   |2.00|1.75
Queens-Midtown Tunnel                        4.50|4.00   |2.00|1.75
Triborough Bridge                            4.50|4.00   |2.00|1.75
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge                      4.50|4.00   |2.00|1.75
Throgs Neck Bridge                           4.50|4.00   |2.00|1.75
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (no toll eastbound) 9.00|8.00   |4.00|3.50
Henry HUDSON Bridge                          2.25|1.75   |2.00|1.25
Marine Parkway Gil HODGES Memorial Bridge    2.25|1.50   |2.00|1.25
Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge           2.25|1.50   |2.00|1.25

Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (Interstate 478)
Upper New York Bay
+40.6938-074.0124/ Brooklyn NY 11231 - New York NY 10004
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE
HEIGHT LIMIT 11 feet 9 inches (3.58 m)

4 lanes in 2 tubes

No non-motorized access exists.
Use the Brooklyn Bridge 4 km away or the New York City Subway.

Express buses:
New York City Bus:
 X27, X28, X29, X37, X38 (Manhattan - Brooklyn)
 X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, X12, X13, X14, X15,
  X16, X17A/C, X18, X19, X20, X42 (Manhattan - Staten Island)
MTA Bus: BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4 (Manhattan - Brooklyn)

Queens-Midtown Tunnel (Interstate 495)
East River
+40.7456-073.9643/ New York NY 10016 - Long Island City NY 11101
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE (11:00--18:00: through trucks banned from 34th Street in Manhattan)
HEIGHT LIMIT 12 feet 1 inch (3.68 m)

4 lanes in 2 tubes

No non-motorized access exists.
Use the Queensboro Bridge 2 km away or the New York City Subway.

Buses: Same as on the Midtown Highway Bridge plus
 MTA Bus QM22 (westbound to Manhattan only)

Triborough Bridge (Queens - Bronx: Interstate 278)
The East River, the Harlem River, the Bronx Kills
+40.7970-073.9204/ Astoria NY 11102 - New York NY 10035 - Bronx NY 10454
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE in Manhattan
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE in the Bronx and Queens

There are 6 lanes on 2 roadways to and from Manhattan and 8 lanes on 2 roadways elsewhere.

Sidewalks have access of pedestrians, skates and bicycles in all ways.
Stairs exist to and from the Bronx via the east sidewalk and to and from Queens.
Wheelchairs can pass among the Bronx (via the west sidewalk), Manhattan and Randalls Island.
People in wheelchairs may use accessible buses to or from Queens.

New York City Bus: M60 (Manhattan - Queens), M35 (Manhattan - Randalls Island)
Express buses (Manhattan - Bronx):
MTA Bus: BxM6, BxM7, BxM7A, BxM7B, BxM9, BxM10, BxM11
Buses are unknown between Queens and the Bronx.

Bronx-Whitestone Bridge (Interstate 678)
East River
+40.8014-073.8291/ Whitestone NY 11357 - Bronx NY 10465
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE

6 lanes on 2 roadways exist with no non-motorized access as the sidewalk was removed in 1946.
The Rikers Island Bridge 5 km away does not link the Bronx.
The Triborough Bridge is 8 km away.

MTA Bus: QBx1 (Front-mounted bicycle racks are no longer available.)
New York City Bus: Q44, X32 (no official provision to carry bicycles across the bridge)
See also the Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program Proposal.

Throgs Neck Bridge (Interstate 295)
East River
+40.8004-073.7938/ Bayside NY 11360 - Bronx NY 10465
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE

6 lanes on 2 roadways but no non-motorized access exist.
The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge without non-motorized access is 3 km away.
The Triborough Bridge is 11 km away. Buses are unknown.

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (Interstate 278)
The Narrows
+40.6067-074.0451/ Staten Island NY 10305 - Brooklyn NY 11228
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE

Upper level: 6 lanes on 2 roadways
Lower level: 6 lanes on 2 roadways, NO TRUCKS

No non-motorized access exists.
The fare-free Staten Island Ferry is 6 km to 12 km away.

New York City Bus: S53/S93, S79
 Express (Staten Island - Manhattan): X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9,
 X10, X11, X12, X13, X14, X15, X16, X17A/C, X18, X19, X20, X42

No bus officially carries bicycles across the bridge.
However, some successful carriages of bicycles inside buses are rumored.
See also the Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program Proposal and Faust House of Chaos.

Henry HUDSON Bridge (State Route 9A)
Harlem River
+40.8775-073.9223/ New York NY 10034 - Bronx NY 10463
NO TRUCKS OR BUSES

Upper lever: 3 northbound lanes and the impassable east sidewalk
Lower lever: 4 southbound lanes and the west sidewalk

Bicycles are not formally allowed.
Wheelchairs cannot pass through due to stairs in the Bronx and rough terrain in Manhattan.
The Broadway Bridge 2 km away is an alternative.

Marine Parkway Gil HODGES Memorial Bridge
Rockaway Inlet
+40.5735-073.8849/ Rockaway Park NY 11694 - Brooklyn NY 11234
CITY THROUGH TRUCK ROUTE

4 lanes on 1 roadway
West sidewalk

MTA Bus: Q35

Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge
Jamaica Bay
+40.5933-073.8201/ Rockaway Beach - Broad Channel NY 11693
CITY LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE

6 lanes on 2 roadways
East sidewalk

MTA Bus: Q21 (local), Q53 (limited-stop), QM16/QM17 (express)

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals

All of its bridges and tunnels are of the National Highway System. All of its bridges did have non-motorized access, but it has become less friendly to non-motorists since the sidewalks on the Outerbridge Crossing and the Goethals Bridge are out and the sidewalk on the George WASHINGTON Bridge is closed overnight. Its web site has some information for bicycles and a feedback form. It suffered the destruction of the World Trade Center (+40.713-074.013/) on 11 September 2001. Non-motorists are neither tolled nor allowed on the roadways of the bridges or tunnels. Improving non-motorized access on river crossings has yet to be done. Tolls are collected at all bridges and tunnels when entering New York only. E-ZPass Carpool Plan requires a vehicle to use a staffed toll lane with 3 or more people. The plan also applies to a motorcycle with a sidecar, but it is not smart.

Vehicle      Class    E-ZPass toll   Cash toll
                   Off-peak   Peak   00--24

Car          1    |4.00 USD|5.00 USD|6.00 USD
Motorcycle   11   |3.00 USD|4.00 USD|5.00 USD
Carpool Plan|1, 11|1.00 USD|1.00 USD Not available

Peak hours:
 Monday to Friday: 06:00--09:00, 16:00--19:00
 Saturday and Sunday: 12:00--20:00
Off-peak hours: all other times, including
 New Year's Day on 1 January
 Memorial Day on the last Monday in May
 Independence Day on 4 July
 Labor Day on the 1st Monday in September
 Thanksgiving Day on the 4th Thursday in November
 Christmas Day on 25 December

George WASHINGTON Bridge
Lincoln Tunnel
Holland Tunnel
Bayonne Bridge
Goethals Bridge
Outerbridge Crossing

George WASHINGTON Bridge (Interstate 95, United States Routes 1 and 9)
Hudson River
+40.8515-073.9527/ Fort Lee NJ 07024 - New York NY 10033

Lower level: 6 lanes on 2 roadways, NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC
Upper level: 8 lanes on 2 roadways, the south sidewalk and the north sidewalk

The Overnight Toll Plaza Regulations limit paying by cash at the Upper Level Approach only.
E-ZPass Carpool Plan is also limited overnight at the Upper Level Approach with staffed toll lanes.

Pedestrians, skates and bicycles use the north sidewalk.
The north sidewalk has stairs. The sidewalks are closed at various time.
Transportation Alternatives will work to drop that overnight closure.

George WASHINGTON Bridge Bus Station (+40.8487-073.9375/):
 New Jersey Transit (171, 175, 178, 181, 182, 186, 188) and some other bus carriers

Lincoln Tunnel (State Route 495)
Hudson River
+40.7630-074.0096/ Weehawken NJ 07086 - New York NY 10018
HEIGHT LIMIT 13 feet (3.96 m)

6 lanes in 3 tubes

No non-motorized access exists. Use buses, nearby trains, or NY Waterway.
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit have trains at New York Penn Station (+40.7497-073.9934/).
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson trains serve 33rd Street Station (+40.7494-073.9882/).
The George WASHINGTON Bridge is 11 km away.
See also the Proposal for Bikeways and Walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel.

New York City Bus (Manhattan - Staten Island): X17J, X22, X30, X31
Atlantic Express: X23 and X24
Port Authority Bus Terminal (+40.7561-073.9906/):
 New Jersey Transit (50+ routes) and many other bus carriers

Holland Tunnel (Interstate 78)
Hudson River
+40.7275-074.0211/ Jersey City NJ 07310 - New York NY 10013
HEIGHT LIMIT 12 feet 6 inches (3.81 m)
WIDTH LIMIT 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) for buses but 8 feet (2.44 m) for other vehicles
Trailers, towed vehicles, and trucks with 4 or more axles are banned in both directions.
All eastbound commercial traffic to New York is banned.

4 lanes in 2 tubes

No non-motorized access exists.
Use the Port Authority Trans-Hudson trains or NY Waterway.
However, they limit bike access more than the New York City Subway does.
The George WASHINGTON Bridge is 16 km away.
See also the Proposal for Bikeways and Walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel.

Express buses: New Jersey Transit: 120, 134
Bayonne Bridge (State Route 440)
Kill van Kull
+40.6421-074.1420/ Staten Island NY 10303 - Bayonne NJ 07002

4 lanes on 2 roadways and the west sidewalk exist.
Wheelchairs cannot pass due to stairs near the terminus in Bayonne.
An arbitrary policy requires bicyclists to walk across.

Express buses: Boulevard Transit Lines: 122, 144
53 KENNEDY BOULEVARD
BAYONNE NJ 07002
Telephone: +1 201 339 0023

Goethals Bridge (Interstate 278)
Arthur Kill
+40.6357-074.1970/ Elizabeth NJ 07202 - Staten Island NY 10303

4 lanes on 2 roadways

No non-motorized access exists since the north sidewalk is closed in 1995.
The Newark Bay Bridge lacks non-motorized access.
The Lincoln Highway Bridges are 13 km away. A second bridge is proposed but not built yet.

Express buses (Staten Island - Manhattan):
New York City Bus: X17J, X22, X30, X31
Atlantic Express: X23 and X24
Local buses are unknown. See also:

Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program Proposal
Transportation Alternatives:
 Message Board: help open the bridge
 T.A. Magazine July/August 1998: Ghastly Goethals

Outerbridge Crossing (State Route 440)
Arthur Kill
+40.5249-074.2452/ Perth Amboy NJ 08861 - Staten Island NY 10309

4 lanes on 2 roadways but no non-motorized access exists since the sidewalk removal in 1963.
New Jersey Department of Transportation:
 Traveling by Bicycle in New Jersey, Crossing the Hudson River to New York City:
  "No walkway; special arrangements for access by groups
    can be made in advance by calling 718-390-2524."
 (Verify this information with the Port Authority.)
The Goethals Bridge with its closed sidewalk is 13 km away.
The Lincoln Highway Bridges (Truck United States Routes 1 and 9) are 26 km away.
Buses are unknown. See also the Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program Proposal.

New York State Thruway Authority

This authority operates the New York State Thruway, officially the Thomas E. DEWEY Thruway as a part of the National Highway System. Section 102.1 of the Thruway Rules and Regulations prohibit pedestrians, bicycles with or without motors, limited use motorcycles, limited use vehicles, vehicles drawn by animals, and animals led, ridden or driven on the hoof, including on the Tappan Zee Bridge but except on the Grand Island Bridges. For the purpose of tolling most segments, the class of a vehicle is the number of axles and whether the vehicle is low or high. Vehicles under 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) in height are considered low (L). Vehicles 7 feet 6 inches in height or greater are considered high (H). Cars and motorcycles are normally Class 2L. A few segments are toll-free. E-ZPass provides discounts.

Tappan Zee Bridge
Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge
South Grand Island Bridge 
North Grand Island Bridge

Tappan Zee Bridge (Interstates 87 and 287)
Hudson River
+41.0701-073.8952/ Nyack NY 10960 - Tarrytown NY 10591

7 lanes without shoulders on 2 roadways
Tolls are collected only when going southeast.
The cash toll is 4.00 United States dollars per Class 2L vehicle.
The E-ZPass toll is 3.60 United States dollars per Class 2L vehicle.

The Tappan Zee Express and Orange-Westchester Link may carry bicycles on their buses.

Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge
Hudson River
+42.509-073.772/ Selkirk NY 12158 - Schodack Landing NY 12156

Tolls are collected based on a ticket system regarding traveled distance.
No non-motorized access exist here. Use the Dunn Memorial Bridge 15 km away.

South Grand Island Bridge (Interstate 190)
Niagara River
+42.998-078.936/ Tonawanda NY 14150 - Grand Island NY 14072

4 lanes on 2 separate bridges
Tolls are collected only when going north at Tonawanda Toll Barrier.
The cash toll is 0.75 United States dollar per Class 2L vehicle.
The E-ZPass toll is 0.68 United States dollar per Class 2L vehicle.

North Grand Island Bridge (Interstate 190)
Niagara River
+43.069-078.991/ Grand Island NY 14072 - Niagara Falls NY 14304

4 lanes on 2 separate bridges
Tolls are collected only when going south at Niagara Toll Barrier.
The cash toll is 0.75 United States dollar per Class 2L vehicle.
The E-ZPass toll is 0.68 United States dollar per Class 2L vehicle.

New York State Bridge Authority

This authority operates five bridges across the Hudson River as parts of the National Highway System. Tolls are 1 United States dollar per vehicle with 2 axles, up to 4 tires, but they are collected only when going eastbound. All bridges have some kinds of non-motorized access, but some are reportedly closed at night. E-ZPass is accepted with gates at toll lanes.

Bear Mountain Bridge
Hamilton FISH Newburgh-Beacon Bridge
Franklin D. ROOSEVELT Mid-Hudson Bridge
George CLINTON Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge
Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Bear Mountain Bridge (United States Routes 6 and 202)
+41.320-073.983/ Bear Mountain NY 10911 - Cortland NY 13045

2 lanes with shoulders on 1 roadway allowing bicycles and 2 sidewalks

Hamilton FISH Newburgh-Beacon Bridge (Interstate 84 and State Route 52)
+41.520-073.998/ Newburgh NY 12550 - Beacon NY 12508

6 lanes on 2 separate bridges
1 sidewalk on the south side for pedestrians and bicycles

Franklin D. ROOSEVELT Mid-Hudson Bridge (United States Routes 44 and State Route 55)
+41.703-73.946/ Highland NY 12528 - Poughkeepsie NY 12601

3 lanes on 1 roadway and 1 sidewalk on the north side for pedestrians and bicycles

George CLINTON Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge (State Route 199)
+41.977-073.944/ Kingston NY 12401 - Rhinebeck NY 12572

2 lanes with shoulders on 1 roadway allowing bicycles but no separate sidewalk
There is reportedly no access for pedestrians.

Rip Van Winkle Bridge (State Route 23)
+42.223-073.848/ Catskill NY 12414 - Hudson NY 12534

2 lanes on 1 roadway allowing bicycles and 1 sidewalk on the south side

Some other bridges outside New York City

Newark Bay Bridge
Lincoln Highway Bridges
Pulaski Skyway

Newark Bay Bridge (Interstate 78) (New Jersey Turnpike Extension)
Newark Bay
+40.6947-074.1165/ Newark NJ 07114 - Bayonne NJ 07002

4 lanes with shoulders on 2 roadways but no non-motorized access
Tolls depend on where motorists enter and exit the turnpike.
Non-motorists may use the Lincoln Highway Bridges 4 km away.

New Jersey Transit bus: 68

(The following bridges are of the New Jersey Department of Transportation without tolls.)

Lincoln Highway Bridges (Truck United States Routes 1 and 9)
Passaic River
+40.7324-074.1177/ Newark NJ 07105 - Kearny 07032
Hackensack River
+40.7275-074.0989/ Kearny 07032 - Jersey City NJ 07304

4 lanes on 2 roadways and 2 sidewalks
Bicyclists may use the bridges but traffic is heavy.

New Jersey Transit bus: 1

Pulaski Skyway (United States Routes 1 and 9)
Passaic River
Hackensack River
+40.7349-074.1234/ Newark NJ 07105 
+40.7347-074.1041/ Kearny 07032
+40.7378-074.0773/ Jersey City NJ 07306
NO TRUCKS

4 lanes on 2 roadways without shoulders
Non-motorists should never use this fast Skyway even though no official ban is known.

New Jersey Transit bus: 319

Improving tolling on river crossings

As the East River Bridges set forth in §4-07(i) of the New York City Department of Transportation are free of tolls with excessive traffic during peak hours, the Bridge Tolls Advocacy Project and others propose tolling these bridges. The following table is a sample to improve toll rates. One-way westbound or northbound tolling from Queens or Brooklyn should be applied to now free East River Bridges set forth in §4-07(i) of the New York City Department of Transportation, now tolled Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, Triborough Bridge, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and Throgs Neck Bridge of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. One-way tolling to New York only should still be applied to all bridges and tunnels of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

These sample toll rates are not in effect. All amounts are in the United States dollars (USD). Non-motorized traffic should never be tolled. Public transit buses should be allowed to pay reduced or no tolls. Peak hours may be something like 06:00--10:00 and 16:00--20:00 from Monday to Friday and 12:00--20:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Overnight hours may be from 00:00 to 06:00 daily. Off-peak hours are other times. Vehicles classification used by the New York State Thruway Authority is hereby used for simplification with minor modification.

             00--06|Off-peak|Peak |00--24
Vehicles             E-ZPass      |Cash toll

Motorcycles    1.00| 2.00   | 3.00| 4.00
 2+ occupants  0.50| 1.00   | 1.50| 2.00
 With trailer  1.50| 3.00   | 4.50| 6.00

Other low vehicles under 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) in height

2 axles        2.00| 4.00   | 6.00| 8.00
 2 occupants   1.50| 3.00   | 4.50| 6.00
 3 occupants   1.00| 2.00   | 3.00| 4.00
 4+ occupants  0.50| 1.00   | 1.50| 2.00

3 axles        3.00| 6.00   | 9.00|12.00
4+ axles       4.00| 8.00   |12.00|16.00

High vehicles 7 feet 6 inches in height or greater

2 axles        4.00| 8.00   |12.00|16.00
3 axles        6.00|12.00   |18.00|24.00
4 axles        8.00|16.00   |24.00|32.00
5 axles       10.00|20.00   |30.00|40.00
6 axles       12.00|24.00   |36.00|48.00
7+ axles      14.00|28.00   |42.00|56.00

Automatic toll gantries reading E-ZPass and license plates should replace as many toll booths as possible. Those without E-ZPass should have their license plates read and bills mailed to them if tolling can be fully automated. People sharing rides on motorcycles or in vehicles with 2 axles and 4 wheels deserve discounts. Verifying the number of occupants should be better automated, but using a mannequin posing as a passenger should be prevented.

Residents and businesses in New York City should receive discounts of 50 %. The only ways into and out of Nassau and Suffolk Counties are through New York City or on the vehicular ferries in Suffolk County, so residents and businesses in these 2 counties should also receive discounts of 50 % until a bridge or a tunnel is built across Long Island Sound. A new ferry between Glen Cove in Nassau County in New York and New London in Connecticut is for passengers but not vehicles.

The Henry HUDSON Bridge, the Marine Parkway Gil HODGES Memorial Bridge and the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority should no longer be tolled. The George WASHINGTON Bridge should drop overnight tolls from cars and motorcycles in response to the Overnight Toll Plaza Regulations.

E-ZPass Customer Service Centers

E-ZPass allows non-stop tolling at many toll facilities in the Northeast United States with different service centers.

The E-ZPass New York Service Center charges a monthly account service fee of 1 United States dollar if the toll tag is the property of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority imposed the same fee starting on 1 July 2005, but it stopped on 1 June 2006. The E-ZPass New Jersey Customer Service Center charges a monthly membership fee of 1 dollar. These fees cause disadvantages to infrequent users even though the fees are much lower than compulsory insurance premiums. Some opponents of the monthly membership fee choose to open accounts elsewhere, such as with E-ZPass Maryland not planning to impose such a fee in the foreseeable future.

Improving non-motorized access on river crossings

Non-motorized access on river crossings is very important in and around New York City. Lack of access without reasonable alternatives is social division. The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, the Goethals Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey without non-motorized access pose substantial problems. The Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program Proposal and the Proposal for Bikeways and Walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel intending to reduce such problems are not yet tried.

The Mackinac Bridge (+45.7991-084.7305/) in Michigan in the United States has the length of 8038 m and does not allow pedestrians or bicycles to cross on their own. The transport services charge 2.00 United States dollars per passenger or per bicycle.

The Confederation Bridge (+46.1956-063.7712/) in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island in Canada has the length of 12.9 km and does not permit pedestrians or non-motorized vehicles. The fare-free shuttle bus transports them on a demand-driven basis at all times.

Even if no other buses are available to carry bicycles, the Port Authority should seek shuttle buses and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority should have the New York City Bus to shuttle bicycles across the bridges. However, both authorities serve non-motorists poorly, divide the region and fail to respect or tolerate different modes of transportation, so they violate the responsibilities of citizenship in page 4 of 57 (portable document file) in English version of A Guide to Naturalization.

Ignoring non-motorized access causes overuse of motor vehicles, increases the demand of oil from Middle East and therefore indirectly increases terrorism, so both authorities may not be truly patriotic. The environment for non-motorists is never good without access to all key river crossings. See also: Transportation Alternatives Bicycle Blueprint - Bridges Not Currently Bikeable.

Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program Proposal

Proposed rules
Cons and Pros

This proposal may be copied and distributed without permission for non-commercial promotional purposes.

Non-motorists cannot pass the following five major bridges in New York City. To carry bicycles across these bridges, shuttle buses may be better during peak hours but impractical during late nights. The Bike-on-Bus-across-Bridge Program is proposed on buses to carry non-motorists across the following bridges pending addition or restoration of non-motorized access:

Across the Goethals Bridge, the New York City Bus should extend its bus routes (such as S40/S90 and S48) to serve non-motorists displaced from the closure of the bridge sidewalk since 1995. Restoring service on a nearby railroad to carry passengers and bicycles should also be considered.

Across the Outerbridge Crossing, the New York City Bus should extend its bus routes (such as S74/S84 and S78) to serve non-motorists displaced from the removal of the bridge sidewalk in 1963.

On the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge with bus routes S53/S93 and S79, pathways were planned but never built.

On the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, front bicycle racks on the QBx1 buses of the former Queens Surface Corporation were not reliable. It did not guarantee a chance to get across on a specific bus. It was seasonal only (April to October), less frequent than the Q44 buses of the New York City Bus, and unavailable during late night.

On the Throgs Neck Bridge, no sidewalk or bus route exists yet.

Proposed rules

For the purpose of this program, the following terms apply:

The bridges mean the Goethals Bridge, the Outerbridge Crossing, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and the Throgs Neck Bridge.
The bridge buses mean the buses carrying bicycles across the bridges.
The bicycle-loading bridge bus stops mean the last bus stops before the bridges.
The bicycle-unloading bridge bus stops mean the first bus stops after the bridges.

Bicycles would be allowed inside the bridge buses across the bridges on situation-permitting basis. Front-mounted racks to carry bicycles would be equipped especially during peak hours when too many passengers may make it impractical or impossible to allow bicycles inside the bridge buses. Customers would be allowed to call in advance to reserve additional bridge shuttle buses provided it is able to dispatch extra buses and drivers.

Bicycles would be loaded at the bicycle-loading bridge bus stops and unloaded at the bicycle-unloading bridge bus stops. People in wheelchairs would board first, then foot passengers would board, and bicycles would be finally loaded. Folded bicycles of reasonable sizes would be allowed loading and unloading at any bus stops on situation-permitting basis, but customers would be advised to carry suitable bags to cover any odd shapes of folded bicycles as needed.

Buses with low floors are better to allow bicycles inside across bridges. Otherwise, buses with wide front doors should be used.

To simplify loading of bicycles, fares should be dropped when riders with or without bicycles board the bridge buses at the bicycle-loading bridge bus stops. This would allow boarding through the back doors. If the fare is not dropped, no extra fares should be required to carry bicycles on bridge buses across bridges. Fares should not be dropped as to cause overcrowding.

Contact information of the New York City Bus:

BUS DEPARTMENT
NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT
25 JAMAICA AVENUE ROOM 1
BROOKLYN NY 11207
UNITED STATES
Toll-free telephone unavailable from outside Northern America: +1 888 692 8287
(It is staffed from 07:00 to 17:00 on Monday through Friday except local holidays.)
Electronic mail

Cons and Pros

Con: Carrying bicycles, whether folded or not, on buses is unsafe and inconvenient to others.

Pro: A picture from Transportation Alternatives shows a cyclist boarding a bus in California in the United States. During off-peak hours with few passengers, there would be no inconvenience. During peak hours with excessive passengers, even folded bicycles may not fit inside buses. This is why shuttle buses and front-mounted bicycle racks are proposed in case bicycles cannot be carried inside buses running on full routes. The New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, Section 1050.9 (g) forbids bulky items on the New York City Bus without itemizing bicycles as bulky or forbidden items.

Con: There is no room inside buses for bicycles. Bicycles will block aisles. Emergency evacuation will be hampered.

Pro: Most local buses of the New York City Bus have wide aisles for better circulation. They should have room to allow bicycles across bridges temporarily. If bicycles would block the aisles, standing passengers would also block. In case of an emergency involving an overcrowded bus, doors may not allow all to exit fast. It is why side windows offer emergency exits as well.

The 5 listed bridges are without shoulders and safe side space may not be available. Therefore, getting out of a bus on any of these bridges could mean stepping onto the active roadway. It would be as dangerous as getting out of a train of the New York City Subway onto an active track. One should notify the operator of emergency and follow his or her instruction.

Taxis and liveries cost too much across bridges and may be unable to take bicycles without special equipment. Ferries may not be feasible due to potentially low ridership. Hitchhiking cannot guarantee safety anywhere. (Section 1157 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of New York State, Section 4-04(e)(2) of the New York City Traffic Rules and New Jersey Statutes 39:4-59 forbid hitchhiking in various wordings.) Some people cannot drive private cars or motorcycles, so they must depend on others to get around. The feasibility to boat across the deep waterways is unknown, even with a folded bicycle and a folding boat. Swimming across is too dangerous, impractical, and hardly possible, and bicycles cannot be easily carried across.

This proposal is to serve non-motorists across bridges without non-motorized access. Buses are usually the best to carry bicycles across bridges without non-motorized access. All major bridges should finally have non-motorized access added or restored.

Proposal for Bikeways and Walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel

Supports
Designing new bikeways and walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel

This proposal may be copied and distributed without permission for non-commercial promotional purposes.

Non-motorists cannot pass any underwater highway tunnel in New York City. Alternate routes exist near the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel across the East River, but the only alternatives through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey across the Hudson River are options of public transit. Buses are delayed in peak hours. Trains may be unable to accept bicycles in peak hours. Ferries with high fares may be unable to take many bicycles. Through any of these tunnels with the lengths of just over 2 km, delays of 30 minutes can be slower than walking speed of 4.4 km/h. Delays waste time, energy and money, so this proposal is to fight traffic congestion.

Contact information

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals
Manager, Customer Relations
1 MADISON AVENUE - 5th Floor
NEW YORK NY 10010
UNITED STATES

Toll-free telephone unavailable from outside Northern America: +1 800 221 9903
(It is staffed from 10:00 to 16:00 on Monday through Friday.)
Feedback

Supports

The westbound side of the Thorold Tunnel (+43.1158-079.1957/) under the Welland Canal in Thorold in Ontario in Canada with right-hand traffic has a sidewalk. The length of the tunnel is 840 m.

The Woolwich Foot Tunnel (+51.4964+000.0623/) and the Greenwich Foot Tunnel (+51.4848-000.0098/) under the River Thames in London in the United Kingdom are open to pedestrians at all times.

The Kanmon Tunnel (ja: 関門トンネル) (+33.9600+130.9796/) under Kanmon Strait between Shimonoseki and Moji in Japan has two levels. The upper level with 2 lanes and the length of 3461 m is for motor vehicles but not mopeds of less than 50 cm3. The lower level with the length of 700 m allows pedestrians, bicycles and mopeds of no more than 50 cm3 from 06:00 to 22:00 (UTC+09:00). The toll is 20 yen (JPY) per bicycle or moped. Pedestrians pay none.

There are occasional events of organized bicyclists through the Lincoln Tunnel on weekends with a tube closed for them.

Designing new bikeways and walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel

Several options may be possible to design new bikeways and walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel. The width of new bikeways and walkways should be at least 6 m to accommodate potentially heavy traffic. Dogs should be allowed on leash only. New bikeways and walkways should be free of tolls, but if tolling is financially required, it should be limited to eastbound traffic. Maintaining security will be very important. Constant patrols and closed circuit television security system should be made. Call boxes should be provided. No items should be left unattended. Fire-fighting equipment should be maintained. Smoking and open fire should be strictly prohibited.

1. For the Lincoln Tunnel with 6 lanes in 3 tubes and the length of 2.4 km, converting 1 or 2 lanes in the South Tube to a bikeway and a walkway would be more efficient than motorized sprawls in more lanes. The air is changed every 90 seconds with ventilation. Fewer motorized vehicles move at normal speed during off-peak hours, so losing 1 or 2 lanes to non-motorists should not have noticeable impact, but an alternative to motoring is made. Even during peak hours, converting 1 or 2 lanes to a bikeway and a walkway would not automatically make motoring worse, but some motorists would switch to biking and walking, thereby reducing motorized traffic and pollution and increasing the quality of life. Even excessive bicycles during peak hours in the new bikeway would be much better than motorized jam in the same amount of space as bicycles take much less space than cars. Some resources say that only 25% of the people must travel during peak hours. Unfortunately, even the Port Authority is reluctant to try this simple conversion.

2. As new railroad tunnels under the Hudson River are being proposed, new bikeways and walkways should be considered at the same time.

3. If an express highway tunnel without access to or from Manhattan is built to link Hudson County in New Jersey and either Queens or Brooklyn in New York, bikeways and walkways should also be built under the Hudson River and the East River. Such an express highway tunnel may replace canceled Lower Manhattan Expressway and Mid-Manhattan Expressway.

4. New tunnels for non-motorists may also be built as separate facilities apart from road tunnels and railroad tunnels.

5. If no tunnels are built for non-motorists, fixed or moving footbridges near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel will be necessary to encourage bicycling and walking. Steve ANDERSON says that sidewalks measuring 4 1/2 feet (1.4 m) wide were once proposed before building the Holland Tunnel, and a bridge needing a clearance of at least 200 feet (60 m) was rejected partially due to the need of long approaches in New York. A footbridge should have ramps and elevators. As American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recommends a maximum grade of 5 %, this grade takes 1200 m horizontally to go 60 m vertically.

Pending construction of new bikeways and walkways through or near the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson should try to drop the ban of bicycles on Monday through Friday from 06:30 to 09:30 and from 15:30 to 18:30 to permit bicycles on situation-permitting basis as in the New York City Subway. The Port Authority Trans-Hudson should also allow fare-free entry at Christopher Street Station (+40.7326-074.0079/) in New York, New York 10014 and Exchange Place Station (+40.7162-074.0328/) in Jersey City, New Jersey 07302 when the ridership is light. Both stations are very close to the Hudson River.

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