The Longest Tunnel in New York Feels Like an Endless Underground Adventure

Written by Heather Hall
Updated: August 1, 2023
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This article delves into the experience of traversing the longest tunnel in New York, which spans over a mile and connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. The author describes the journey as an otherworldly adventure, with intricate brickwork and unique features such as ventilation towers and emergency exits adding to the allure. Despite being used by thousands of commuters every day, most people are unaware of the variety of wild animals that are found nearby.

The Longest Tunnel in New York

Governors Island, New York -  Brooklyn Battery Tunnel Air Vent

The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel is the longest tunnel in New York.

©Elzbieta Sekowska/Shutterstock.com

The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel is the longest tunnel in New York. It is a marvel of engineering, stretching an impressive 9,117 feet beneath the bustling streets of New York City. As one enters the tunnel, they are met with a sense of adventure and mystery that can only be found in subterranean spaces. The walls are lined with smooth concrete, illuminated by soft blue lights that guide drivers through its winding path. The atmosphere is cool and quiet, providing a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle above ground.

As you travel deeper into the tunnel, you may notice small ventilation shafts peeking out along the ceiling, evidence of the careful planning and construction required to create such an intricate underground structure. Despite its massive size, there is also a sense of intimacy within the tunnel’s confines. Cars seem to glide effortlessly through the curves as if on rails.

Overall, experiencing this remarkable feat of engineering firsthand is nothing short of awe-inspiring. From its sleek design to its serene atmosphere below ground level, it truly feels like embarking on an exciting journey into another world – one hidden away beneath the busy city streets above.

Purpose

The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, also known as the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, serves as a critical transportation link between Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City. The purpose of this tunnel is to provide motorists with a reliable route for commuting and transporting goods between these two boroughs. The construction of the tunnel began in 1940 and was completed four years later in 1944.

The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was built primarily to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing East River bridges, which were already heavily congested at that time due to increasing population growth and automobile usage. With its two tubes spanning over one mile long each, the tunnel has become an essential part of New York City’s infrastructure.

Notably, during World War II, the tunnel served another important purpose by providing a safe underground passage for military convoys carrying war supplies from various ports around New York Harbor to military bases located throughout Long Island and beyond.

Today, thousands of commuters rely on this tunnel daily to get to work or move goods across borough lines efficiently. As such, it remains an integral component of New York City’s transportation system, ensuring that people can continue moving freely throughout this bustling metropolis despite its many challenges.

The tunnel’s history dates back to the early 20th century when New York City officials recognized the need for an additional route between these two boroughs.

Location of the Longest Tunnel in New York

The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel is a remarkable engineering feat that stretches for 1.7 miles underneath the East River, connecting Brooklyn with Manhattan. It is situated on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, near Battery Park and Governor’s Island. The tunnel entrance in Brooklyn can be found at Hamilton Avenue and Court Street in the Red Hook neighborhood, while its counterpart in Manhattan can be accessed via West Street and Battery Place. Both entrances are marked by imposing ventilation towers that rise above street level.

On a map, you can easily spot the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel as it runs beneath the waterway between these two points. Its route takes it directly under Governors Island before emerging into Lower Manhattan. Commuters who use this tunnel daily will attest to how convenient it is to avoid traffic congestion on surface streets by opting for an underground route through this iconic passage – but even more than that, with its dim lighting and seemingly endless length, traveling through it feels like an adventure deep below city streets!

History

The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel is a vital transportation link connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn and beyond. The tunnel’s history dates back to the early 20th century when New York City officials recognized the need for an additional route between these two boroughs.

In the 1920s, plans were drawn up for what was then called the Battery Bridge-Tunnel project, which proposed constructing a bridge or tunnel across New York Harbor from Lower Manhattan to Staten Island. However, due to financial constraints and engineering challenges involved with building a bridge in such a congested area of the harbor, this plan did not come to fruition.

It wasn’t until 1940 that planning began anew for a tunnel linking Manhattan and Brooklyn. Construction on what would become known as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel started in 1942 after years of political wrangling over funding and routing options.

The project faced many obstacles during construction, including labor strikes by workers demanding better working conditions and wages. It took over six years to complete construction on both tubes of the tunnel – one northbound and one southbound- using more than three million cubic yards of concrete.

Despite its rocky start, today’s modernized version of this landmark has been keeping up with time through various infrastructure projects aimed at improving mobility for commuters around NYC while continuing its legacy as an iconic piece of American engineering history.

Opening Ceremony

A top down view directly above the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel ventilation tower off of Governors Island in New York City on a sunny day.

The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel is also called the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.

©Audley C Bullock/Shutterstock.com

The opening ceremony of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was a grand affair that marked a major milestone in New York City’s infrastructure development. The event took place on May 25, 1950, and was attended by several dignitaries, including Mayor William O’Dwyer and Governor Thomas E. Dewey.

The ceremony started with a parade of cars crossing the tunnel from Brooklyn to Manhattan, led by Mayor O’Dwyer himself. This momentous occasion was broadcasted live across the city via radio and television networks.

As part of the ceremonial proceedings, there were speeches delivered by prominent figures such as Robert Moses – who served as the chairman of both Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) – and General Lucius D. Clay – then governor of the American zone in Germany during World War II.

Following these speeches, there was an official ribbon-cutting ceremony held at each end of the tunnel to commemorate its completion after eight years of construction work. The ribbon-cutting ceremonies were performed simultaneously on both sides using twin scissors.

Overall, this opening ceremony symbolized not only an engineering marvel but also represented progress for New York City as it connected two boroughs previously separated by water into one cohesive metropolitan area accessible through modern transportation infrastructure.

Wildlife Near the Tunnel

Despite its reputation as a bustling metropolis, New York City is actually home to a diverse range of wildlife. In fact, there are thousands of animal species that can be found in the city’s many parks and green spaces. From birds and reptiles to mammals of all shapes and sizes, there is no shortage of fascinating creatures to discover.

Bats

Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) hanging upside down with wings tucked in and eyes closed.

Tri-colored bats live in New York.

©iStock.com/JasonOndreicka

As fascinating as they are elusive, bats have long held a special place in the hearts of nature enthusiasts and scientists alike. In New York City, several different species of these winged mammals can be found living amidst the concrete jungle. The tri-colored bat is one such type, with its distinctive coat of fur featuring shades of brown, black, and white. Meanwhile, small brown bats are known for their tiny size (some weighing just a few grams) and playful aerial displays. Large brown bats may not be quite as petite as their smaller cousins, but they make up for it with their impressive wingspan, often measuring over 13 inches from tip to tip.

Despite their diversity in appearance, all three bat species share some common characteristics that set them apart from other animals. For instance, they are the only mammals capable of true flight thanks to specialized muscles in their wings that allow them to generate lift while airborne. Additionally, many types of bats are voracious insectivores who can consume up to half their body weight in insects each night! This makes them valuable allies against pests like mosquitoes and flies.

However, life isn’t always easy for New York’s resident bats, especially during the colder months when temperatures drop dramatically. During this time, cave-dwelling species like little brown bats will seek out shelter wherever they can find it – including inside buildings or near warm tunnels underground, like the longest tunnel in New York.

Eastern Chipmunks

eastern chipmunk with cheeks full

Eastern chipmunks have to store away a lot of food to make it through a New York winter.

©iStock.com/BrianLasenby

Eastern chipmunks are small, ground-dwelling rodents native to North America. They typically measure between 8 and 10 inches in length, including their tail, and weigh around 2-5 ounces. These creatures have soft, reddish-brown fur on their backs with five dark stripes running down their sides that alternate with white stripes. Their bellies are usually a lighter shade of brown or gray.

Their eyes are large and round with black pupils surrounded by a ring of light beige coloration. Eastern chipmunks also have short legs that end in sharp claws, which they use to dig burrows in the soil for shelter and food storage.

In general appearance, eastern chipmunks resemble squirrels but differ from them in several ways, such as having shorter tails and smaller overall size. They can often be seen scurrying along forest floors or darting across lawns, searching for nuts, seeds, fruits, or insects to eat.

Eastern Gray Squirrels

Eastern Gray Squirrel sitting in the lawn grass holding a nut.

Eastern Gray Squirrels are easy to spot throughout New York

©iStock.com/Helen Davies

Eastern gray squirrels are a common sight in many parts of New York, especially in the city’s parks and wooded areas. These small mammals typically measure between 17 to 20 inches in length, including their bushy tails, which can add an additional 9 to 10 inches. Their fur is predominantly gray with a white underbelly, although some individuals may have reddish or black accents on their coats.

One distinctive feature of eastern gray squirrels is their large eyes which are positioned high on their head and provide excellent vision for navigating through trees and other obstacles. They also have sharp claws that allow them to climb up trees with ease and leap from branch to branch.

Overall, these adorable creatures have a sleek and nimble appearance that makes them perfectly suited for life in urban environments like New York City. Whether they’re scampering along power lines or collecting nuts for winter storage, eastern gray squirrels never fail to capture our attention with their cute looks and playful antics.

Raccoons

Raccoon Den, showing four baby racoons snuggled in the hole of an old oak tree.

Raccoons like to nest in hollows of old oak trees in Central Park.

©Georgi Baird/Shutterstock.com

Raccoons are medium-sized mammals that have distinct physical features. They typically have a stocky build, with short legs and a compact body covered in thick fur. Their most recognizable feature is the black “mask” around their eyes, which contrasts sharply with their greyish-brown fur. Raccoons also have distinctive ringed tails that are fluffy and bushy.

Their front paws are highly dexterous and can be used to grasp objects like food or climbing surfaces. The hind feet of raccoons have five toes each, while the front feet only have four toes. This adaptation allows them to climb trees easily and move quietly through dense forests.

Overall, raccoons possess an agile and nimble appearance that makes them well-suited for life in urban areas, even the area surrounding New York’s longest tunnel. Despite being considered pests by some people due to their tendency to scavenge through garbage cans for food scraps, these adaptable creatures continue to thrive throughout North America thanks to their unique physical attributes and resourcefulness.

Red Foxes

Red Fox at Night in the United Kingdom

Red foxes like to come out to hunt at night.

©Giedriius/Shutterstock.com

Red foxes are small to medium-sized canids with a distinctive reddish-orange fur coat. Their bushy tails, known as “brushes,” are white-tipped and often nearly the same length as their body. They also have black tips on their ears and legs, making them easily identifiable from other fox species. Red foxes typically weigh between 6-15 pounds, stand around 14 inches tall at the shoulder, and measure approximately three feet long from their nose to tail tip. Overall, red foxes possess a sleek yet fluffy appearance that makes them both strikingly beautiful and adaptable to various environments throughout the world.

Virginia Opossums

Virginia opossum - North American opossum, climbing on the tree.Wild scene from Wisconsin.

If you walk at night, you may spot an opossum near the longest tunnel in New York.

©Karel Bock/Shutterstock.com

Virginia opossums are small to medium-sized marsupials with a distinctive appearance. They have grayish-white fur that is coarse and thick, which helps them stay warm during colder months. Their face is narrow, with black eyes and pink ears that stand upright when they are alert or alarmed.

One of the most notable features of Virginia opossums is their long, hairless tail, which can be up to 20 inches in length. This prehensile tail allows them to grip branches and other surfaces for balance as they climb through trees or navigate rocky terrain.

Virginia opossums also have sharp claws on their feet, which aid in climbing as well as digging for food, such as insects and small rodents. They have five toes on each foot, with opposable thumbs on their hind feet that help them grasp objects.

Overall, Virginia opossums may not be the most conventionally cute animals, but their unique appearance makes them fascinating creatures to observe in the wild.

Striped Skunks

Skunk, Netherlands, Animal, Close-up, Color Image

It is wise not to get too close to a striped skunk

©iStock.com/Edwin_Butter

Striped skunks are easily recognizable by their distinct black and white striped fur. They have long, bushy tails with alternating black and white stripes, as well as two wide stripes that run down the center of their backs. Their head is small and round, with two small ears and a pointed snout. The face of the striped skunk is mostly white with black patches around the eyes, while its body has thick fur that helps to protect it from predators. Additionally, these creatures have sharp claws on their front paws, which they use for digging up food or creating burrows in which to live. Overall, striped skunks have a unique appearance that makes them both fascinating and easy to identify in any environment.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/bloodua


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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

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