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Coordinates: 40°42′09″N 74°00′58″W / 40.70250°N 74.01611°W / 40.70250; -74.01611
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{{short description|Tunnel in Manhattan, New York}}
{{About|the tunnel under the Battery connecting FDR Drive and the West Side Highway in Manhattan|the tunnel under the East River connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn|Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel}}
{{Infobox tunnel
{{Infobox tunnel
| name = Battery Park Underpass
| name = Battery Park Underpass
| image = West St climbs from Battery Park underpass jeh.jpg
| image = 2024-05-20 14 52 10 View north along New York State Route 9A (West Side Highway) from the Battery Park Underpass in Manhattan, New York City, New York.jpg
| image_size = 325px
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Western portal at the [[West Side Highway]]
| caption = Western portal at [[West Side Highway|West Street]]
| official_name = Battery Park Underpass
| other_name =
| other_name =
| location = [[Battery Park]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
| location = [[Battery Park]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
Line 12: Line 13:
| status =
| status =
| route = {{jct|state=NY|Parkway|FDR}}
| route = {{jct|state=NY|Parkway|FDR}}
| start = [[South Street Viaduct]], [[Financial District, Manhattan|Financial District]]
| start = {{jct|state=NY|Parkway|FDR|road|[[South Street (Manhattan)|South Street]]}} in [[Financial District, Manhattan|Financial District]]
| end = [[West Side Highway|West Street]], [[Battery Park City]]
| end = {{jct|state=NY|NY|9A|road|[[West Side Highway]]}} in [[Battery Park City]]
| startwork =
| startwork =
| opened = {{Start date|1951|04|10}}<ref name="nytopening">{{cite news |title=City Opens Underpass at Battery, $10,000,000 Link in Express Route |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20A15FB3854157B93C3A8178FD85F458585F9 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 11, 1951 |page=31 |accessdate=April 12, 2010 }}</ref>
| opened = {{Start date|1951|04|10}}<ref name="nytopening">{{cite news |title=City Opens Underpass at Battery, $10,000,000 Link in Express Route |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/04/11/archives/city-opens-underpass-at-battery-10000000-link-in-express-route-new.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 11, 1951 |page=31 |accessdate=April 12, 2010 }}</ref>
| closed = October 29, 2012<ref name="nyt-reopening">{{Cite news |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/battery-tunnel-to-partly-reopen-to-motorists-at-4-p-m/ |title=Battery Tunnel Partly Reopens to Motorists |first=Andy |last=Newman |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]}}</ref>
| closed = October 29, 2012<ref name="nyt-reopening">{{Cite news |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/battery-tunnel-to-partly-reopen-to-motorists-at-4-p-m/ |title=Battery Tunnel Partly Reopens to Motorists |first=Andy |last=Newman |date=November 13, 2012 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref>
| rebuilt =
| rebuilt =
| reopened = November 13, 2012<ref name="reopening">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2012/pr12_72.shtml |title=Reopening of the Battery Park Underpass to Westbound Buses for Afternoon Rush Hour Beginning Today and Reopening to All Eastbound Vehicles Beginning Wednesday Nov. 14 During Morning Rush Hour |date=November 13, 2012}}</ref>
| reopened = November 13, 2012<ref name="reopening">{{Cite press release |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2012/pr12_72.shtml |title=Reopening of the Battery Park Underpass to Westbound Buses for Afternoon Rush Hour Beginning Today and Reopening to All Eastbound Vehicles Beginning Wednesday Nov. 14 During Morning Rush Hour |date=November 13, 2012 |publisher=New York City Department of Transportation}}</ref>
| owner =
| owner =
| operator =
| operator =
| traffic = Automotive
| traffic = Automotive
| character = Limited access
| character =
| toll =
| toll =
| vpd =
| vpd =
| engineer =
| engineer =
| construction = 1940-1951
| construction = 1949–1951
| length =
| length =
| lanes = 4
| lanes = 4
| speed = {{convert|35|mph|kph}}
| speed = {{convert|30-40|mph|kph}}
| hielevation =
| hielevation =
| lowelevation =
| lowelevation =
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| extra =
| extra =
}}
}}
⚫
[[Image:Battery Park Underpass east port jeh.JPG|thumb|right|Eastern portal at the [[FDR Drive]] in front of the Battery Maritime Building]]


The '''Battery Park Underpass''' is a vehicular tunnel in [[Manhattan, New York]]. It was the second section of Manhattan's [[Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive]] to be completed. The underpass crosses beneath [[Battery Park]] and the approach to the [[Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel]].
The '''Battery Park Underpass''' is a vehicular tunnel at the southernmost tip of [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]], near the neighborhoods of [[South Ferry (Manhattan)|South Ferry]] and [[Battery Park City]]. The tunnel connects [[FDR Drive]], which runs along the east side of Manhattan Island, with the [[West Side Highway]] ([[New York State Route 9A]], or NY&nbsp;9A), which runs along the island's west side. Opened in 1951, it was the second section of FDR Drive to be completed. The underpass crosses beneath [[the Battery (Manhattan)|the Battery]] (formerly Battery Park) and the approach to the [[Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel]].


==History==
==History==
⚫
[[Image:Battery Park Underpass east port jeh.JPG|thumb|left|Eastern portal at the [[FDR Drive]] in front of the Battery Maritime Building]]


The underpass opened to the public on April 10, 1950.<ref name="nytopening"/> The underpass runs underneath [[Battery Park (New York)|Battery Park]], connecting the [[West Side Highway]] to the [[South Street Viaduct]] with two lanes of traffic in each direction.<ref name="nytopening"/> The project was completed shortly after the opening of the [[Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel]] and provides direct access between the tunnel and the FDR Drive.<ref>{{cite book | title = Guide to Civil Engineering Projects In and Around New York City | edition = 2nd | publisher = Metropolitan Section, American Society of Civil Engineers | year = 2009 | pages = 61–62 }}</ref>
The underpass started construction in 1949<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/02/01/archives/breaking-ground-for-9500000-battery-park-project.html|title=Breaking Ground for $9,500,000 Battery Park Project|date=1949-02-01|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-13|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and opened to the public on April 10, 1951.<ref name="nytopening"/> The underpass runs underneath [[the Battery (Manhattan)|the Battery]], connecting the [[West Side Highway]] to the [[South Street Viaduct]] with two lanes of traffic in each direction.<ref name="nytopening"/> The project was completed shortly after the opening of the [[Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel]] in 1950, and provides direct access between the West Side Highway and FDR Drive.<ref>{{cite book | title = Guide to Civil Engineering Projects In and Around New York City | edition = 2nd | publisher = Metropolitan Section, American Society of Civil Engineers | year = 2009 | pages = 61–62 }}</ref>


In 2005, during the reconstruction of [[New York State Route 9A|Route 9A]], the roof of the Battery Park Underpass was extended to the north by about 80 feet (25m) to provide a U-turn lane and amenities for pedestrians and bicyclists.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |title=A Little Easier Getting Around Downtown |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 2, 2005 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A04E7DB163EF931A35752C1A9639C8B63 |accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref>
In 2005, during the reconstruction of [[New York State Route 9A|NY&nbsp;9A]], the western end of the Battery Park Underpass was extended to the north by about {{convert|25|ft|m}} to provide a U-turn lane and amenities for pedestrians and bicyclists.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |title=A Little Easier Getting Around Downtown |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 2, 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/02/nyregion/a-little-easier-getting-around-downtown.html |accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref>


During [[Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New York|Hurricane Sandy]], the tunnel filled completely with seawater and required major repairs.<ref name="flooding">{{cite web |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/traffic&id=8883986 |title=Battery Park Underpass partially repoens |publisher=[[WABC-TV]] |date=November 13, 2013 |accessdate=April 24, 2014}}</ref>
During [[Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New York|Hurricane Sandy]], the tunnel was filled with seawater and required major repairs.<ref name="flooding">{{cite web |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/traffic&id=8883986 |title=Battery Park Underpass partially reopens |publisher=[[WABC-TV]] |date=November 13, 2012 |accessdate=April 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425002737/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources%2Ftraffic&id=8883986 |archive-date=April 25, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Plans for extension===
===Plans for extension===
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There have been three proposals to extend the tunnel north on the FDR Drive side.
There have been three proposals to extend the tunnel north on the FDR Drive side.
*In 1971, it was suggested that the South Street Viaduct be turned into a tunnel, essentially extending the underpass north to the [[Brooklyn Bridge]]
*In 1971, it was suggested that the South Street Viaduct be turned into a tunnel, essentially extending the underpass north to the [[Brooklyn Bridge]]
*In 2002, the Downtown Alliance, the local [[Business improvement district]], called for a 350-foot (105 m) extension to the underpass to create a plaza in front of the [[Battery Maritime Building]]. The estimated cost was $70 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |title=Plans for the Neglected East River Shoreline |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 1, 2002 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/01/nyregion/blocks-plans-for-the-neglected-east-river-shoreline.html |accessdate=2010-10-20}}</ref>
*In 2002, the Downtown Alliance, the local [[business improvement district]], called for a 350-foot (105 m) extension to the underpass to create a plaza in front of the [[Battery Maritime Building]]. The estimated cost was $70 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |title=Plans for the Neglected East River Shoreline |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 1, 2002 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/01/nyregion/blocks-plans-for-the-neglected-east-river-shoreline.html |accessdate=2010-10-20}}</ref>
*In 2005, Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] also called for an extension of the underpass near the Battery Maritime Building as part of a plan to rehabilitate the South Street Viaduct.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |title=Restoring a Missing Link: Lower Manhattan to the East River |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 2, 2005 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902E3DD133DF931A35750C0A9639C8B63 |accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref>
*In 2005, Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] also called for an extension of the underpass near the Battery Maritime Building as part of a plan to rehabilitate the South Street Viaduct.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |title=Restoring a Missing Link: Lower Manhattan to the East River |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 2, 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/02/nyregion/along-the-east-river-everything-old-is-to-be-made-new-again.html |accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
[[Image:Exit 1 of West Side Hiway to Battery Underpass cloudy Jan day jeh.jpg|thumb|left|Western entrance from the West Side Highway]]
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.nycroads.com/roads/fdr/ FDR at NYCRoads.com]
* [http://www.nycroads.com/roads/fdr/ FDR at NYCRoads.com]


{{NYC Bridge}}
{{NYC Bridge}}


[[Category:Staten Island Ferry]]
[[Category:1951 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Tunnels in New York City]]
[[Category:Tunnels completed in 1951]]
[[Category:South Ferry, Manhattan]]
[[Category:Road tunnels in New York City]]
[[Category:Road tunnels in New York]]
[[Category:The Battery (Manhattan)]]

Revision as of 00:37, 5 June 2024

This article is about the tunnel under the Battery connecting FDR Drive and the West Side Highway in Manhattan. For the tunnel under the East River connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, see Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.
Battery Park Underpass
Western portal at West Street
Overview
LocationBattery Park, Manhattan, New York City
Coordinates40°42′09″N 74°00′58″W / 40.70250°N 74.01611°W / 40.70250; -74.01611
Route FDR Drive
Start FDR Drive / South Street in Financial District
End NY 9A / West Side Highway in Battery Park City
Operation
Constructed1949–1951
OpenedApril 10, 1951 (1951-04-10)[1]
ClosedOctober 29, 2012[2]
ReopenedNovember 13, 2012[3]
TrafficAutomotive
Technical
No. of lanes4
Operating speed30–40 miles per hour (48–64 km/h)
Tunnel clearance12 feet 7 inches (3.84 m)

The Battery Park Underpass is a vehicular tunnel at the southernmost tip of Manhattan, New York City, near the neighborhoods of South Ferry and Battery Park City. The tunnel connects FDR Drive, which runs along the east side of Manhattan Island, with the West Side Highway (New York State Route 9A, or NY 9A), which runs along the island's west side. Opened in 1951, it was the second section of FDR Drive to be completed. The underpass crosses beneath the Battery (formerly Battery Park) and the approach to the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel.

History

Eastern portal at the FDR Drive in front of the Battery Maritime Building

The underpass started construction in 1949[4] and opened to the public on April 10, 1951.[1] The underpass runs underneath the Battery, connecting the West Side Highway to the South Street Viaduct with two lanes of traffic in each direction.[1] The project was completed shortly after the opening of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel in 1950, and provides direct access between the West Side Highway and FDR Drive.[5]

In 2005, during the reconstruction of NY 9A, the western end of the Battery Park Underpass was extended to the north by about 25 feet (7.6 m) to provide a U-turn lane and amenities for pedestrians and bicyclists.[6]

During Hurricane Sandy, the tunnel was filled with seawater and required major repairs.[7]

Plans for extension

There have been three proposals to extend the tunnel north on the FDR Drive side.

  • In 1971, it was suggested that the South Street Viaduct be turned into a tunnel, essentially extending the underpass north to the Brooklyn Bridge
  • In 2002, the Downtown Alliance, the local business improvement district, called for a 350-foot (105 m) extension to the underpass to create a plaza in front of the Battery Maritime Building. The estimated cost was $70 million.[8]
  • In 2005, Mayor Michael Bloomberg also called for an extension of the underpass near the Battery Maritime Building as part of a plan to rehabilitate the South Street Viaduct.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c "City Opens Underpass at Battery, $10,000,000 Link in Express Route". The New York Times. April 11, 1951. p. 31. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  2. ^ Newman, Andy (November 13, 2012). "Battery Tunnel Partly Reopens to Motorists". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Reopening of the Battery Park Underpass to Westbound Buses for Afternoon Rush Hour Beginning Today and Reopening to All Eastbound Vehicles Beginning Wednesday Nov. 14 During Morning Rush Hour" (Press release). New York City Department of Transportation. November 13, 2012.
  4. ^ "Breaking Ground for $9,500,000 Battery Park Project". The New York Times. 1949-02-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  5. ^ Guide to Civil Engineering Projects In and Around New York City (2nd ed.). Metropolitan Section, American Society of Civil Engineers. 2009. pp. 61–62.
  6. ^ Dunlap, David W. (November 2, 2005). "A Little Easier Getting Around Downtown". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  7. ^ "Battery Park Underpass partially reopens". WABC-TV. November 13, 2012. Archived from the original on April 25, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  8. ^ Dunlap, David W. (August 1, 2002). "Plans for the Neglected East River Shoreline". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  9. ^ Dunlap, David W. (March 2, 2005). "Restoring a Missing Link: Lower Manhattan to the East River". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
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