[Mid Hudson (Lincoln) Tunnel Construction: Removing Muck from Tunnel with Shovel Operated by Compressed Air]

(Sotheby's London, May 10, 2001, lot 316); [Charles Schwartz, New York]

This photograph, and the related nine images donated by Charles Schwartz, documents the planning and constructions of the Midtown Hudson, or Lincoln Tunnel. Encouraged by the success of the Holland Tunnel, Paul Windels, counsel to the New York State Bridge and Tunnel Commission, proposed a second tunnel which would connect midtown Manhattan with Weehawken, New Jersey. The project, initiated in 1930, was engineered by Ole Singstad and was completed over a period of more than two decades. It consists of a central tube which was opened in 1937, and two parallel tubes which were opened in 1945 and 1957. Even before construction was completed, Manhattan borough President Samuel Levy proposed that it be connected with the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, also engineered by Singstad. Although this link would have made it possible for motorists to pass from Long Island to New Jersey without driving above ground, the connecting tunnel was never made.

There were two complete sets of photographs documenting the planning and construction of the Lincoln Tunnel originally printed by the Port Authority. One set was deaccessioned (from which these prints are drawn) and sold at Sotheby's London. The other set was retained by the Port Authority, but lost in the World Trade Center in September 2001.

The full caption and negative file number is printed with the negative below the image as a typed caption.