Route 495

Route 495 is a major east–west highway in New York City, carrying traffic between Midtown Manhattan and Long Island City in Queens. It is a critical arterial route, consisting primarily of the Lincoln Tunnel approach and the Queens–Midtown Tunnel approach, and is officially designated as part of the Interstate Highway System though it lacks a signed Interstate Highway number. The route is a vital conduit for commuters and commercial traffic between New Jersey, Manhattan, and Long Island.

Route description

The highway begins at the western portal of the Lincoln Tunnel beneath the Hudson River, connecting to New Jersey Route 495 and U.S. Route 1/9 Truck. It travels east as a depressed roadway below street level, passing beneath the West 30th Street Heliport and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The route then transitions into an open cut, flanked by the Hudson Yards development and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, before merging with surface streets near Bryant Park. After crossing beneath Park Avenue and skirting the MetLife Building, it descends into the Queens–Midtown Tunnel under the East River, emerging in Queens near the Queens Plaza transportation hub and terminating at Borden Avenue.

Major intersections

From west to east, the route intersects with several key arteries beginning with Dyer Avenue and Ninth Avenue in Chelsea. It has direct connections to Tenth Avenue and Eighth Avenue, providing access to the Theatre District and Times Square. In Midtown Manhattan, it interchanges with Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, near the New York Public Library Main Branch. The route also interfaces with Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue before its portal at First Avenue. In Queens, it connects directly to Queens Boulevard, a major thoroughfare leading to Grand Central Parkway and the Long Island Expressway.

History

The corridor's development was driven by the need for improved vehicular access between New Jersey and Long Island, spearheaded by Robert Moses and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. The Lincoln Tunnel opened in 1937, with its approach roads constructed through the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. The Queens–Midtown Tunnel, a project of the New York City Tunnel Authority, opened in 1940. The connecting roadway between these two major tunnels was officially designated in the 1950s as part of plans for the Interstate Highway System, though proposals to integrate it fully into Interstate 495 were never realized. Significant reconstruction occurred in the 1970s to accommodate increased traffic from the World Trade Center and other Manhattan developments.

Public transportation

The corridor is heavily served by New York City Subway lines, including the IND Eighth Avenue Line and the IRT Flushing Line, which provide connections at stations like Times Square and Grand Central. The Port Authority Bus Terminal is a major hub for interstate buses operated by NJ Transit and Coach USA. In Queens, the Queensboro Plaza station serves the BMT Astoria Line and IRT Flushing Line. The MTA Regional Bus Operations network, including the M34/M34A SBS and Q32 routes, utilizes surface streets adjacent to the highway.

See also

* Interstate 495 (New York) * Long Island Expressway * Manhattan * New York State Route 25 * Port Authority of New York and New Jersey * Queens * Transportation in New York City

Category:Transportation in New York City Category:Roads in Queens Category:Roads in Manhattan