Official name Battery Park Underpass Constructed 1940-1951 Number of lanes 4 | Route FDR Drive Closed October 29, 2012 | |
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Opened April 11, 1951 (1951-04-11) Road Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive | ||
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.
Contents
Map of Battery Park Underpass, New York, NY 10004, USA
History
The underpass opened to the public on April 11, 1951. It runs underneath Battery Park, connecting the West Side Highway to the South Street Viaduct with two lanes of traffic in each direction. The project was completed shortly after the opening of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and provides direct access between the tunnel and the FDR Drive.
In 2005, during the reconstruction of 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.
During Hurricane Sandy, the tunnel filled completely with seawater and required major repairs.
Plans for extension
There have been three proposals to extend the tunnel north on the FDR Drive side.