NYC Tunnel Closes Sunday to Honor 9/11 Hero

Hugh L. Carey Tunnel closes Sept 28 for annual 5K honoring fallen FDNY firefighter

NYC Tunnel Closes Sunday for 9/11 Memorial 5K

Drivers traveling between Manhattan and Brooklyn should plan alternate routes this Sunday. The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel will be completely closed September 28 for the annual Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk, MTA officials announced Tuesday. The closure affects one of the region's busiest crossings, which typically carries about 54,000 vehicles daily.

Event Honors Fallen 9/11 Firefighter

The race retraces the heroic final journey of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on September 11, 2001. Siller was off-duty when he heard about the attacks and drove to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, now named the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. When he found it closed to traffic, he strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back and ran through the 9,117-foot tunnel to reach the Twin Towers, where he gave his life saving others. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, established in his memory, has raised more than $350 million since its founding to support Gold Star families, fallen first responders' families, and catastrophically injured veterans.

Alternative Routes Available During Closure

Motorists should use the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, or Brooklyn Bridge as detours during the closure, according to the MTA. Officials didn't specify exact start and end times for the closure but said it'll last for the duration of the event. The tunnel's two tubes will both be closed to accommodate the thousands of participants expected to retrace Siller's steps. Drivers should expect delays on alternative crossings as traffic diverts from the tunnel.

Annual Closure Announced Four Days Ahead

The MTA announced the closure September 24, giving drivers four days' notice before the Sunday event. The foundation hosts similar runs in cities across the country, though the New York event remains the signature race because it follows Siller's actual route. Officials said the closure's necessary to safely accommodate participants in the tunnel, which opened in 1950 and was renamed for former Governor Hugh L. Carey in 2011.

Commuters Should Plan Extra Travel Time

Drivers who regularly use the tunnel for weekend travel should add significant time to their trips or avoid the area entirely on Sunday. The three alternative bridges will likely see heavier-than-usual traffic as vehicles reroute. Moovit provides real-time updates and alternative route suggestions for travelers navigating the closure and can help commuters find the fastest path between Manhattan and Brooklyn during the event.