low bridges in ny

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/trucks_nycarea_parkways.pdf

notice the difference in signs. White is the legal height, yellow usually is 1' lower than what it is for packed snow.

 

I just want to know why anyone would haul into and out of NY in the first place. Tolls, traffic, not worth it, no matter what rate you are getting, I stay OUT

 

It's not that bad as long as you can go in and get out at optimal times and have good directions if you're going somewhere new. Tolls not an issue. I don't like to go in as a general rule, but consider it part of the job 2-3 times/year. I have no desire to deal with the NYC area on a regular basis, though. But early on, I hated it. My first few experiences were not bad but not pleasant. But it gets easier as you know what to expect and go in with the right attitude.

 

you can also order NYC truck route maps for free from NYDOT or download the pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/trucks.shtml

I ordered the paper version and they actually sent it to me, quite handy, gotta love free stuff. I think that's gotta be the most useful free thing you can get off the internet. No reason not to have it.

 

Spray a can of WD-40 on the top of the tractor and trailer, drive really fast and close your eyes.

 

haha yep. Especially if you dumped the air bags.

 

Huge reason I won't touch NYC. It's just not smart to go in there. Let them use 28's, Day cabs and straight trucks. As far as I'm concerned, going into NYC with a sleeper and a 53' trailer is dumb.

 

http://www.livetrucking.com/trucker-dies-entering-parkway-ny/

 

I've driven in NYC with a tractor trailer quite a bit The signs are total BS, you just have to know your route unfortunately. One of the reasons that they are posted incorrectly is that they usually aren't referring the the highest clearance, in the center of the lane. Sometimes there is a curb on the side, and sometimes there are arches under the bridge that you can hit if you aren't going through the center. And as mentioned above, sometimes there is packed snow, although this isn't common with all the salting. My advice is to get the truck map that mugurpe linked to, it will also help you avoid getting a ticket for being off the approved truck routes - they do ticket for that, I got one years ago. You might also have to call the customer you're going to, they might have directions printed out or a recorded message with truck directions because they're used to trucks coming in, or ask a driver who has been there before. I could tell you how to get to many places... but as also mentioned above sometimes they spec trailers at 12' or 12'6" so we can get around here without going 10 miles out of our way. As for the OP - I get what you mean, I took a picture once of a bridge in Queens NY that had two different heights posted. Two signs next to each other, neither was correct. You could take some entertaining pictures. The same inaccuracy with signs holds throughout NY state - even out in the country. I think it is unfair to drivers coming from out of state. One of my favorites what a brewery in Rochester NY - they gave you different directions for coming in and going out, because after they loaded you with 44,000 lbs of kegs, you could fit under the bridge going back to the highway, but with an empty trailer aired up all the way you couldn't LOL.
One specific thing I would advise for anyone coming here for the first time - you can ALWAYS fit under any overpass on an Interstate, if you are centered in a lane, with 13'6", no matter what the sign says. If you try to creep under on the shoulder and the bridge is arched, you could hit it, and that might be what the signs mean. But the Interstate has to have 13'6" clearance in lanes of traffic. I mean if there isn't packed snow obviously, and none of your tires ride up onto a curb. There is a sign on the Brooklyn-Queens expressway, which is interstate 278, that says all trucks over a certain height must exit on to Atlantic Ave. Whatever you do, DO NOT get off at that exit (unless you were going to anyway for your delivery). You can fit under the overpass there, as long as you're not on the shoulder. The other thing to remember is that you almost always CANNOT go on a "Parkway." There's signs on every entrance that say no trucks, but newbs from the big OTR companies regularly get on by accident and get stuck because google maps sends them that way.
I've squeeked under many low bridges without hitting. It was part of learning the ropes around here. Truck GPS's seem to be helping, but it sounds like they make mistakes. I didn't just plow under hoping to make it, I inched along making sure I fit - and that I wasn't bouncing, and made it. I agree, it's better for local drivers to handle such work around here, but road drivers who get good directions can get in and out fine. Plus, they pay you extra for coming here right?

 

The last time I was there..I encountered the same problem, the bridge was marked 12 feet 2 in and I had to call NYPD to come out and get me out...
When NYPD got there, the laughed at me and said none of the heights were posted correct anymore because the dug down the street and did not repost the correct clearance ...They guided me out AND I wont go back.