A traditional right of passage for nearly every bus driver who must enter New York City, The Lincoln Tunnel is the Gateway to the Big Apple

The Lincoln Tunnel

Type: Tunnel

Management: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Construction-Completion-Cost: 1934-1937, Project cost $85 Million ($1.52 Billion 2017 Inflation Adjustment)

Termini: Weehawken, New Jersey <-----> Manhattan, New York City

Traverse: Hudson River

Access: NJ Route 495 (Weehawken Helix), NY 495

Length: 8,000 ft

Toll: $15.00 Cash, $12.00 E-Z Pass

Driving Complexity: Medium

Artist's Depiction of the Lincoln Tunnel

Overview: Nearly every interstate bus driver in Northeast will eventually enter NYC and this usually means entering one of the most notorious landmarks on the east coast, the Lincoln Tunnel. The tunnel itself was completed in the Late 1930's with 2 additional tunnels completed in the 40's and 50's. The sheer age of the tunnel is what makes this landmark a point of great fear for new bus drivers and drivers who have never entered it. It was not constructed with 10 feet wide motorcoaches in mind. The first thing they usually notice is that the lanes are very narrow and the clearance is not very high. Most Motorcoaches stand at around 11 to 12 feet tall. The Clearance in the Lincoln Tunnel is 13 feet. For reference the tallest vehicles allowed to enter belong to Megabus, Its VanHool TD925 Double Deckers are exactly 13 feet tall, and feature air suspensions which can be lowered when nearing the tunnel. 

Lincoln Tunnel Toll Plaza

Toll Plaza: The Lincoln Tunnel houses one of the most complex Toll Plaza arrangements on the east coast and drivers must pay very close attention on approach. Missing a turn or being in the incorrect lane can lead the wrong way. Buses and Trucks are forced to use only one of the three tubes after the toll. One sigh of relief for Interstate bus drivers at the toll plaza is the Port Authority Police. Drivers of intercity motorcoaches must supervise in 55 to 70 people alone for hours on end, and attacks on drivers are common. If any passengers on the bus become disruptive the driver can alert the Port Authority Police who will remove disruptive passengers and deal with any security threats. Security at the toll plaza has been increased since 9/11 and most crime entering and leaving NYC is often intercepted at the tunnel.

Port Authority of NY and NJ Chevrolet Caprice PPV

Driving Dynamics: Driving in the Lincoln Tunnel for the first time is intimidating because the lanes are not very wide and the clearance is low, however this is made easier due to the Tunnel's low speed limit of 35MPH maximum. Lane Changing is also forbidden after entering the Tunnel. The tunnel is has a fair amount of distance at a mile and a half long. It is recommended to switch drivers if one of the co drivers has a phobia of driving in tunnels or claustrophobia in general. One of the tunnels more interesting aspects is the XBL or Express Bus Lane. Buses entering NYC from New Jersey use a dedicated lane which takes buses from the tunnel straight to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. Drivers should be aware of other vehicles who do not obey the speed limit as high speed is the most common cause of accidents in the tunnel.

Lincoln Tunnel Trip with Megabus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1YFWzNBfZ4