10 Of The Nation’s Longest Tunnels

Think you’ve driven through some or all of the nation’s longest tunnels? We’ve found ten of the longest – let us know how many of them you’ve seen for yourself!

1. Ted Williams is one of the longest tunnels in the United States – at 1.6 miles. This tunnel is an extension of I-90, and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. This tunnel was opened in 1995, and is still open today. The speed limit in the tunnel is 40mph, and a toll of $3.50 is required to pass through (westbound only) when entering South Boston.

2. Anton Anderson Memorial holds the spot as the second longest tunnel in the United States. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is located in Whittier, Alaska. This tunnel is 2.5 miles in length, and takes 6.5 minutes to pass through. Not only was this tunnel carved through a mountain for highway traffic, but it was also constructed for the railroad – making it the nation’s longest dual-use tunnel. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is one lane wide, and the flow of traffic is controlled by computers to prevent vehicles and trains from passing through at the same time.

3. The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel is located between Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York, and carries 4 lanes of traffic from I-478. This tunnel is 1.73 miles in length, and was constructed in 1950. The toll to pass through is $6.50 from both directions, and 45,337 vehicles pass through on a daily basis.

4. The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is located in Colorado (50 miles from Denver) and carries 1-70. The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is known to be the world’s highest road tunnel, and at it’s highest point is 11,158 feet in elevation. The tunnel was opened to westbound traffic in 1973, and to eastbound traffic in 1979. An average of 32,260 vehicles are known to pass through daily.

5. The Holland Tunnel, which crosses the Hudson River – connecting Jersey City, New Jersey and Manhattan, New York carries 4 lanes of traffic from both I-78 and I-39. This tunnel is 1.62 miles in length, and was opened in 1927. The toll to pass through is $13.00, and a daily traffic total for this bridge is a whopping 93,356 vehicles.

6. The Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Tunnel also makes the list. This tunnel is located in Boston, Massachusetts and carries traffic from a multitude of roadways including; I-93, US 1, and Route 3. The tunnel is 1.5 miles in length, and 4 lanes in width. It was opened to traffic in 2003, and those passing through do so at a limit of 45 mph.

7. The Lincoln Tunnel is a 1.5 mile long tunnel which passes under the Hudson River between Manhattan, New York and Weehawken, New Jersey. This tunnel was created from Route 495 and NY 495. This tunnel is unique in that it routes three separate tubes; Center, North, and South. These tunnel tubes opened in 1937, 1945, and 1957 – respectively. An average of 108,655 vehicles pass through this tunnel on a daily basis.

8. Baltimore Harbor Tunnel is 1.45 miles in length and is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The tunnel opened in 1957, and it carries 4 lanes of traffic from I-895. It crosses the Patapsco River, and costs $3 to pass through.

9. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel is 3.5 miles in length, and is located between Norfolk and Hampton, Virginia. The bridge-tunnel carries 4 lanes of traffic from I-64 and US 60. It was opened in 1957 to westbound traffic, and in 1976 to eastbound traffic.

10. Fort McHenry Tunnel is located in Baltimore Harbor, and routes I-95. This tunnel is 1.5 miles in length, and houses 8 lanes of traffic in 4 different tubes. The speed limit in the Fort McHenry Tunnel is 55 mph, and the toll to pass through is $3.00. The tunnel was opened to the public in 1985.

Sources
A Sightseer’s Guide To Engineering 
Road Tunnels in The United States