New Jersey Route 495

Route 495 is a 3.45-mile-long (5.55 km) freeway in Hudson County, New Jersey, in the United States that connects the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95, I-95) at exits 16E and 17 in Secaucus to New York State Route 495 (NY 495) inside the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken, providing access to Midtown Manhattan. The road is owned and operated by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) between the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) between Route 3 and Park Avenue near the Union City–Weehawken border, and by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) east of Park Avenue, including the helix used to descend the New Jersey Palisades to reach the entrance of the Lincoln Tunnel. Route 495 is mostly a six-lane freeway with a reversible bus lane used during the morning rush hour. The bus lane, which runs the entire length of the freeway, continues into the Lincoln Tunnel's center tube.

Route 495
Lincoln Tunnel Approach
Route information
Maintained by NJTA, NJDOT, PANYNJ
Length3.45 mi[1] (5.55 km)
Existed1959 (1937 as Route 3)–present
RestrictionsNo hazardous goods allowed in the Lincoln Tunnel
Major junctions
West end I-95 / N.J. Turnpike / US 1 / US 9 / Route 3 in North Bergen
East end NY 495 at the New York state line in the Lincoln Tunnel
Location
CountiesHudson
Highway system

New Jersey State Highway Routes

← Route 446XI-676 →

The first portion of the present-day Route 495, at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, was constructed in 1937 when the Lincoln Tunnel opened. In 1939, it was extended west to Route 3 and it became an eastern extension of that route. In 1952, the portion of the route west of Route 3 was opened when the New Jersey Turnpike was completed. In 1959, the road was incorporated into the Interstate Highway System and was designated as part of Interstate 495 (I-495). Since the Mid-Manhattan Expressway that would have connected the route to New York's I-495 (Long Island Expressway) was canceled, I-495 officially became New Jersey Route 495 in 1979, and the signs were changed in 1989.

Route description
The beginning of eastbound Route 495 at the New Jersey Turnpike

Route 495 officially begins at the exit 16E off-ramp from the northbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike near the boundary of Secaucus and North Bergen. The main roadway heads east through North Bergen as a freeway with three lanes in the eastbound and westbound directions, maintained by the NJTA.[1][2] The route has an interchange with Route 3, with access to eastbound Route 3 and U.S. Route 1/9 (US 1/9) for traffic in the eastbound direction and to westbound Route 3 in the westbound direction. Past this interchange, Route 495 becomes a six-lane freeway maintained by NJDOT that passes over New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway's New Jersey Subdivision line and Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Northern Branch line before intersects US 1/9 at a partial interchange, with a westbound exit and eastbound entrance. Past US 1/9, the freeway has an interchange with County Route 501 (CR 501, John F. Kennedy Boulevard), which uses 30th Street and 31st Street as collector–distributor roads.[1] East of this junction, Route 495 enters Union City and heads through developed residential areas, passing under numerous streets.[1][2] There is an eastbound exit and westbound entrance for Park Avenue, which provides access to Weehawken and Hoboken, where Route 495 becomes maintained by the PANYNJ. It enters Weehawken and comes to a westbound exit and eastbound entrance for Park Avenue.[1]

The Helix, from east

At this point, the roadway loops around itself at a section in the roadway locally known as The Helix, descending the New Jersey Palisades to reach the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel under the Hudson River. The route has a westbound exit for CR 677 (John F. Kennedy/Hudson Boulevard East) and another exit for Boulevard East with a westbound exit and eastbound entrance. After interchanging with Boulevard East, the road features an eastbound toll plaza and enters the Lincoln Tunnel. At the New York state line, which is located at the midpoint of the Hudson River, the road continues as NY 495, which is separate from I-495, and heads into Midtown Manhattan in New York City.[1][2]

View east along Route 495 at Hudson Avenue in Union City

Since 1970, the left lane of the three westbound lanes is converted during the morning rush hour to a reversible bus lane, known as the "XBL", or Exclusive Bus Lane. The PANYNJ is responsible for daily operation of the XBL, including its opening and closing, removal of disabled vehicles, and response to emergencies.[3] It is used by buses headed east from the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3, mainly to the Port Authority Bus Terminal just past the Lincoln Tunnel in Manhattan, serving over 1,800 buses and 65,000 bus commuters on regular weekday mornings, (6-10 a.m.).[4] This bus lane is the busiest in the United States.[5] Route 495 is a busy route that carries approximately 74,571 vehicles at its western terminus and approximately 119,432 vehicles by the time it reaches the Lincoln Tunnel.[1]

Each of the travel lanes in the Lincoln Tunnel's center tube is reversible. In general, both of the lanes, including the exclusive bus lane, serve Manhattan-bound traffic during the weekday morning rush hour, both of the lanes serve New Jersey-bound traffic during the weekday evening rush hour, and one lane is provided in each direction during other time periods. New Jersey-bound traffic normally uses both lanes of the north tube and Manhattan-bound traffic normally uses both lanes of the south tube.[6]

According to the American Highway Users Alliance, Route 495 is considered one of the most congested corridors on the East Coast of the United States; as of 2018, drivers spent a cumulative 3.4 million hours per year sitting in congestion on Route 495.[7]

History

Interstate 495
LocationSecaucus–Weehawken
Length3.45 mi[1] (5.55 km)
Existed1959–1986

The road was built as an approach to the Lincoln Tunnel, with the first section opening December 22, 1937, when the first (now the center) tube of the tunnel was completed. This section ran only from the tunnel portal south through the toll booths to a plaza with Park Avenue and Hudson County Boulevard East. Marginal Street, providing access from Hudson County Boulevard East west over Park Avenue to 32nd Street and the Bergen Turnpike, was also opened at that time.[8] In 1939, the Port Authority opened the rest of the approach, up the helix and west to Route 3, and it was designated as an eastern extension of Route 3.[9] The final section of today's Route 495 opened on January 15, 1952, with the completion of the New Jersey Turnpike. The turnpike interchange (exit 16) only served Route 3 traffic to and from the south; exit 17 served Route 3 traffic to and from the north.[10][11]

Inside of the Lincoln Tunnel
Lincoln Tunnel Helix and toll plaza (circa 1955), with the south tube under construction

With the creation of the Interstate Highway System in 1956, the approach to the Lincoln Tunnel was planned to become an Interstate Highway along with present-day Route 3, which itself was not included in the Interstate Highway System because New Jersey thought it would be too expensive to bring it up to Interstate Highway standards.[12][13] However, the Lincoln Tunnel approach was included in the Interstate Highway System and in 1959, it was renumbered from Route 3 to I-495 despite the fact it does not meet Interstate Highway standards.[14][15] Shortly after the road became I-495, the western portion of the road was brought up to Interstate Highway standards with the improvements of the interchanges with the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 3.[16] I-495 was intended to connect with New York's I-495 by way of the Mid-Manhattan Expressway; however, this proposed freeway through Manhattan was canceled in 1971 due to strong opposition to the road running through the heart of Midtown Manhattan.[17] Because of the fact that New Jersey's I-495 would not be connected to New York's, NJDOT started referring to the route as Route 495 in 1979.[14] The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the decommissioning of I-495 between I-95 and Pleasant Avenue/Park Avenue in Union City in 1980.[18] In 1986, AASHTO approved the decommissioning of the rest of the I-495 designation in New Jersey.[19]

Starting with the viaduct, which passes over the Conrail rail lines just west of US 1/9, the roadway going east is listed as being eligible for state registry in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places for its engineering, architecture and history. The designations for eligibility were given in segments between 1991 and 2003 and include the Lincoln Tunnel Approach and Helix, as well as the tunnels, toll booths, and ventilation towers.[20]

The Helix has traditionally been known for offering a panoramic view of the New York skyline. While local zoning laws prohibit the construction of high-rise buildings that would obstruct sight-lines from higher points in town,[21][22][23] as of June 2013 construction of a new residential building partially blocked the view from the lower portion of the roadway.[24] As of 2015, the Helix is considered by the PANYNJ to have a working life-span of ten years. Alternatives to its replacement include tunnels under the Palisades directly to the Lincoln Tunnel portals.[25][26]

In June 2018, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced that it would renovate the North Bergen Viaduct (the section passing over US 1/9 and Conrail) over the course of more than two years. During that time, one travel lane in each direction would be closed, reducing the number of travel lanes in each direction from 4 to 3.[7][27]

Exit list

The entire route is in Hudson County. All exits are unnumbered.

Locationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Secaucus0.000.00 I-95 south / N.J. Turnpike south – NewarkTolled interchange; exit 16E on I-95 / Turnpike
North Bergen0.190.31 I-95 north / N.J. Turnpike north to I-80 / US 46 – George Washington BridgeWestbound exit and eastbound entrance; exit 17 on I-95 / Turnpike
0.781.26 US 1 south / US 9 southEastbound exit and westbound entrance
Route 3 west to G.S. Parkway – Secaucus, Sports ComplexWestbound exit and eastbound entrance
0.901.45 US 1 / US 9 – Ridgefield, Jersey CityWestbound exit and eastbound entrance
Union City1.231.98Kennedy Boulevard (CR 501)Traffic circle above Route 495 and below JFK Boulevard
Weehawken1.812.91Park Avenue – Union City, Weehawken, HobokenNo eastbound entrance; last eastbound exit before toll; access to ferries to New York City
2.233.59Boulevard East – WeehawkenWestbound exit only
2.504.02Weehawken, HobokenWestbound exit to Willow Avenue, eastbound entrance from Boulevard East
2.654.26Eastbound toll plaza[28]
Hudson River2.65–
3.45		4.26–
5.55		Lincoln Tunnel
NY 495 east (Lincoln Tunnel)Continuation into Manhattan, New York at the river's center
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
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See also

References
  1. New Jersey Department of Transportation. "Route 495 Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). Trenton: New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  2. Google (February 11, 2009). "Overview of New Jersey Route 495" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  3. "The Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane". Lincoln Tunnel. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. December 28, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  4. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (2009). Lincoln Tunnel HOT Lane Feasibility Study (PDF). Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. p. 2. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  5. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane Enhancement Study (PDF). Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 27, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  6. Berlow, L. (2015). Reference Guide to Famous Engineering Landmarks of the World: Bridges, Tunnels, Dams, Roads and Other Structures. Taylor & Francis. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-135-93261-9. Retrieved April 12, 2018 – via Google Books.
  7. "For New Jersey Commuters, a Sequel to the 'Summer of Hell'". The New York Times. June 5, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  8. "Governors to Open New Tunnel Today". The New York Times. December 21, 1937. p. 3.
  9. "Approach to Open for Lincoln Tube". The New York Times. June 30, 1939. p. 6.
  10. Seigel, Kalman (January 16, 1952). "Jersey Pike Opens Final 9-Mile Link". The New York Times. p. 27.
  11. Schwab Jr., Armand (January 20, 1952). "City Linked to Super-Highway". The New York Times. p. X17.
  12. Bureau of Public Roads (September 1955). "New York and Environs" (Map). General Location of National System of Interstate Highways Including All Additional Routes at Urban Areas Designated in September 1955. Scale not given. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. p. 59. OCLC 4165975. Retrieved December 22, 2009 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  13. New Jersey State Highway Department (1957). FAI 105 Interstate Highway Corridor: Recommendation Report. Trenton: New Jersey State Highway Department.
  14. "Route 495 Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). Trenton: New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 21, 2006. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  15. Wright, George Cable (September 19, 1958). "New Roads with New Numbers Will Parallel Old U.S. Routes". The New York Times. p. 29.
  16. Tri-State Transportation Commission (1962). Regional Highways: Status Report. Tri-State Transportation Commission.
  17. Clines, Francis X. (March 25, 1971). "Lower Manhattan Road Killed Under State Plan". The New York Times. p. 78.
  18. Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (June 22, 1980). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda Showing Action Taken by the Executive Committee" (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 517. Retrieved October 16, 2014 – via Wikisource.
  19. Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (June 9, 1986). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 561. Retrieved October 16, 2014 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  20. "New Jersey Register of Historic Places in Hudson County" (PDF). Trenton: New Jersey Register of Historic Places. 2010. pp. 12 and 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 5, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  21. "Weehawken Journal: Group Fights to Keep 'Magical' Skyline View". The New York Times. December 30, 1990.
  22. McFadden, Robert D. (March 20, 1999). "Weehawken's Panoramic Skyline View Wins Protection". The New York Times.
  23. Strunsky, Steve (August 13, 2000). "THE CITIES; The Blurred View From Weehawken". The New York Times.
  24. Frassinelli, Mike (June 24, 2013). "Construction Alters View of Manhattan Skyline for 'Helix' Commuters". The Star-Ledger. Newark, NJ. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  25. "Tunnels through the Palisades Could Replace Lincoln Tunnel Helix". NJ.com. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  26. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (September 24, 2015). "Lincoln Tunnel Helix Replacement Program Phase II Planning" (PDF). Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  27. New Jersey Department of Transportation (August 25, 2017). "Route 495, Route 1&9/Paterson Plank Road Bridge Overview".
  28. "Tolls". Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. December 1, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2014.

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