Lincoln Tunnel Tiles? There Are None — It's a Vehicular Tunnel, Not a Tube of Tiles

Clarifying the Lincoln Tunnel's Construction

The Lincoln Tunnel (opened 1937, 1945, 1957 — three tubes) is a vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River connecting Manhattan (39th St) and Weehawken, NJ. It is not tiled in the sense of ceramic or decorative tiles.

Actual Tunnel Lining

• Primary lining: Cast-in-place concrete segments (reinforced), installed behind the tunneling shield.
• Secondary lining: Additional concrete pour for waterproofing and finish.
• Surface finish: Painted concrete or epoxy coating (white/light gray for reflectivity).
• Fire protection: Ceramic fiber boards or intumescent coatings in some sections (post-1990s upgrades).
• Catwalk / duct banks: Concrete, steel grating — no tiles.

Why the Confusion?

• Subway stations (e.g., nearby 34th St–Hudson Yards, 42nd St–Port Authority) are heavily tiled (white subway tile, mosaic bands).
• PATH stations (World Trade Center, Exchange Place) have tile work.
• "Tube" terminology: London Underground = "the Tube" (tiled stations). Lincoln Tunnel = "the Tunnel" (highway).

Quick Specs

• Length: Center tube 8,216 ft (2,504 m); North/South tubes 7,482 ft / 8,006 ft.
• Traffic: ~120,000 vehicles/day (busiest vehicular tunnel in US).
• Toll: $16 (NY-bound, E-ZPass off-peak); cashless.
• Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL): AM peak, NJ→NY — 1,800 buses/day, 65,000 riders.

If You Meant "Subway Tiles"...

The classic 3×6 white glazed ceramic "subway tile" originated in NYC IRT stations (1904). The Lincoln Tunnel has zero of them.