Eduardo Munoz / Reuters The Holland Tunnel carried over 14 million eastbound vehicles in 2017.
- The Holland Tunnel carries vehicles between New York and New Jersey.
- It was designed with an innovative ventilation system that became a model for subsequent tunnels made for automobiles.
- In February, the Port Authority announced a five-year, $364 million project to repair damage inflicted on the tunnel by Hurricane Sandy.
While it's not as famous or tourist-friendly as the Empire State Building or Brooklyn Bridge, the Holland Tunnel, which connects Lower Manhattan and Jersey City, is one of New York City's most important landmarks.
In 2017, the Holland Tunnel carried over 14 million eastbound vehicles. Opened in 1927, it was the first underwater tunnel to carry automobiles between New York and New Jersey, and it inspired the Lincoln Tunnel, which opened a decade later.
It was also an innovative piece of engineering. Before it was built, the project's engineers had to figure out how to make sure the tunnel's occupants wouldn't be exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from exhaust fumes. They eventually devised a new system in which air ducts placed beneath the road would allow clean air into the tunnel, while exhaust ducts located above vehicles would carry fumes out of the tunnel. The system became the template for future tunnels designed for automobiles.
The tunnel has survived a number of hardships dating back to the years it spent under construction, when its first two lead engineers died before its opening. Since then, the bridge has experienced a massive fire and damage from the 30 million gallons of water that filled it during Hurricane Sandy. The latter inspired the Port Authority to announce a five-year, $364 million repair project in February. The project is set to begin in the second quarter of 2019.
The project will be comprehensive, touching on the tunnel's structure and internal systems, and will ensure the tunnel remains usable for future generations.
Here's a look at the tunnel's history: