NYC confusing bridge height signs

I have a question for a new York expert.

I occasionally make a delivery right to the north of where 478 tunnel goes into Manhattan, off Hamilton ave. I do a u turn around the north side and am coming back to 278.... it says 12'3". That ramp would work well but I don't have the stones to try it. Is this a deception and 13'6" fits?

 

You talking about the eastbound 278 onramp after you make that big U-turn around the lip of the battery tunnel? I don't know for sure on that one. Never done it and have been advised not to. I just go up to 9th and make 2 quick lefts underneath the overpass to get back on Hamilton going the other way. The ramp on that side is fine. I hate that area.

 

Ever been on ave U in Brooklyn?

 

What color is the sign. Yellow or

White...??

 

I was told the exact same thing as I was sitting at a dead stop in the middle of the Van Wyk Expressway.

The driver who told me said it was "to account for ice buildup." Who in their right mind would drive on a foot of ice?!?

 

Yes. You can go under it with a 13'6".

I've been driving local in NYC for 20yrs.

 

That's what he is talking about. 13'6" will go under it.

Just look at the structure. It's 30+ yrs old and has no strike damage. If it's less than 13'6" in NYC, it's been hit.

 

I don't know how the hell NYC measures. I've been driving here 20yrs. But I can tell you this. If the height sign is yellow it's at least 2' higher than posted. If the height sign is white it's a least 1' higher than posted.

Best advice for driving in the NYC area: if it looks like it's been hit, it's less than 13'6". If it looks like it's never been hit, it's more than 13'6".

And just a little info from days past. I used to take a tractor trailer on the Staten Island Ferry pre-9/11. Only cost a quarter.

 

You can run the Gowannas/BQE/278 combo from one end to the other end, in either direction, in any lane, with a 13'6" and you will not hit anything.