Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, Toll tunnel in Lower Manhattan, United States.
The Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel links Red Hook in Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan through two parallel tubes running beneath New York Harbor. The entire length measures 2779 meters, with each tube carrying traffic in one direction.
Work started in 1940 but stopped during World War II when materials became scarce. After the war ended, construction resumed and the tunnel opened in 1950.
Its name recalls the artillery positions that once stood at Manhattan's southern tip during colonial times. Today commuters and visitors drive through the twin tubes, though few remember the military connection that inspired the designation.
Four ventilation buildings replace all air inside every 90 seconds, keeping conditions safe for every vehicle. Toll collection occurs at the entrances in both directions.
After Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, protective floodgates were installed, making this one of the first tunnels in New York to receive such defenses. These gates close automatically when harbor water reaches dangerous levels.
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