Bridges & Tunnels

The Queensboro Bridge stretches across the East River between Manhattan and Queens as seen from Roosevelt Island in New York City. The historic bridge remains one of the major transportation crossings used by commuters and travelers connected to Long Island and the surrounding metropolitan region. File photo: licensed.
The Queensboro Bridge stretches across the East River between Manhattan and Queens as seen from Roosevelt Island in New York City. The historic bridge remains one of the major transportation crossings used by commuters and travelers connected to Long Island and the surrounding metropolitan region. File photo: Andrey Vyrodov, licensed.

Long Island’s bridges and tunnels form some of the most important transportation links in the New York metropolitan region, connecting the island to New York City, the Bronx, and neighboring parts of the Northeast.

Whether traveling between Long Island and Manhattan, commuting from Queens and Brooklyn, or heading toward upstate New York and New England, millions of drivers rely on these crossings every year. Many of the region’s major bridges and tunnels are operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), while others are maintained by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey or the New York City Department of Transportation.

Major Bridges Serving Long Island

The New York metropolitan area contains several major bridge crossings that are essential to Long Island transportation and regional commuting.

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

Queensboro Bridge

Bronx-Whitestone Bridge

  • Connects: Queens and the Bronx
  • Importance: Key route for travelers heading toward New England
  • Traffic Role: Major interstate connector
  • Learn More: Bronx-Whitestone Bridge

Throgs Neck Bridge

Major Tunnels Used by Long Island Travelers

Several major tunnels also play an important role in Long Island transportation, particularly for commuters and travelers entering Manhattan.

Queens Midtown Tunnel

Transportation Importance

Long Island’s bridges and tunnels are among the busiest transportation crossings in the United States. They support daily commuting, commercial freight movement, tourism, airport access, and regional travel throughout the Northeast.

These crossings are especially important because Long Island is geographically separated from much of mainland New York by waterways including the East River, Harlem River, Hudson River, and Upper New York Bay.

Traffic congestion on these crossings can significantly impact travel times throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, especially during rush-hour periods and summer travel weekends.

Related Transportation Infrastructure

Long Island’s bridge and tunnel network works together with the region’s highways, rail systems, airports, ferries, and transit services to support mobility throughout the metropolitan area.

Key Facts and Details

RegionLong Island and New York Metropolitan Area
Main PurposeTransportation and regional connectivity
Primary CrossingsBridges and tunnels linking Long Island with NYC and surrounding areas
Major OperatorsMTA, Port Authority, NYC DOT
Key RoutesQueens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island
Transportation RoleCommuting, freight, tourism, interstate travel
Connected InfrastructureHighways, railroads, ferries, airports

Long Island’s bridges and tunnels remain critical parts of the transportation system that connects the island to New York City and the broader Northeast region. From historic suspension bridges to heavily traveled commuter tunnels, these crossings continue to shape how millions of residents, workers, and visitors move throughout the metropolitan area every day.