Did You Know the Lincoln Tunnel wasn’t always called the Lincoln Tunnel? It began life in the early 1930s as the Midtown Hudson Tunnel, approved by the Port Authority in 1933—and by 1937, its first tube was already ferrying vehicles between Weehawken, New Jersey, and Midtown Manhattan.
Designed by Norwegian engineer Ole Singstad (the mastermind behind the Holland Tunnel’s ventilation system), the tunnel stretches 1.5 miles beneath the Hudson River. It opened in stages: Tube 1 in 1937, Tube 2 in 1945, and Tube 3 in 1957. The intrepid sandhogs built it, tackling extreme compressed-air work zones and painstakingly assembling 21-ton iron rings as the lining.
Here’s a wild twist: in 2006, as reported, the Lincoln Tunnel’s south tube closed for a morning to host the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K! That meant runners—but not cyclists—took over part of the tunnel, turning it into a unique race route for a few hours.
But for cyclists, there was a real treat: up until 2010 or so, Bike MS New York City riders could ride through the Lincoln Tunnel traffic-free during the annual MS charity ride—an unforgettable moment when bicycles shared the tunnel with history.
And just wait—your favorite fun fact: In 1971, a circus train strike left animals stranded—so 19 elephants, a zebra, a llama, and a pony walked right through the Lincoln Tunnel on foot into New York City!
Today, the tunnel sees nearly 21 million vehicles a year, making it the busiest vehicular tunnel on Earth. From sandhogs to circus parades, runners and cyclists, it's more than a tunnel—it’s a conduit of history and dazzling stories under the Hudson.
