42nd Street between the Midtown and Lincoln tunnels is part of I-495. That's why the last exit on the westbound LIE is #15, Van Dam street. Exits 1-14 are the

42nd Street between the Midtown and Lincoln tunnels is part of I-495. That's why the last exit on the westbound LIE is #15, Van Dam street. Exits 1-14 are the avenues from the west side of Manhattan (where the numbers reset because 495 crossed a state boundary) to the east side. If you look carefully you will see I-495 signs on some streetlights or traffic lights.