Trucks on parkways/hitting overpasses in New York area

As far as New York and New Jersey, we hated it, I was always afraid we would end up in the Holland Tunnel road or something. We did end up under one low bridge I believe around Jersey City that was 13'5". We stuck to the roads sent on qualcomm and usually made it in and out ok. I wouldn't like to have to deliver to a lot of places in the area though, it is so time consuming with the traffic. It also appears more roads have no trucks on them.

I ordered a free truck route maps through the internet from I beliver the New York dot website, you can order as many as you want, I think I got 20 since my husband trains. Since he (knock on wood) hasn't been to New York/New Jersey area but about 3 times in over a year, he hasn't really had to use them. Now if we could only get our hands on a copy of chicago for free like that.

 

chicago is pretty basic
stay off cicero
at least the bridge markings are correct there

 

What could be done is trucks not travel the Parkways, it specifically says on each parkway exit "NO TRUCKS". If drivers paid attention to the signs that say "NO TRUCKS", they wouldn't hit low overpasses on the parkways. I know. Novel idea.

 

Don't forget the bridge marked 12' 2" on the Eastbound LIE after leaving the Clearview Expressway.

 

joe, you are right

but truth be told, it is very easy to miss a turn in NYC and once you do, you are screwed

i am from NYC, missed a turn in the bronx one day, and wound up having to backup about half a mile back to the intersection, the wrong street was too small to continue

stuff happens

you know this

and as everyone is saying, the bridges are mismarked

i am driving across the BQE, i thought it was traffic in front, but the driver was approaching a bridge that said 12'6 and had virtually stopped in his lane

i went around him and smiled, because i knew he didnt know that you cant believe what NYC says about their bridges

 

I hit a posted low bridge in Buffalo, NY that was on a construction detour for a marked truck route. I wrongly assumed that the city made sure trucks could fit under before making it a detour. That was a fun day.

 

Thing to remember about 'truck routes' is that not all trucks are 13'6" tall. Think empty flatbed.

About trucks hitting bridges in New York, I'd like to know just how many of those drivers speak English as a second language, thus not comprehending the signs and warnings.

I've made several wrong turns in New York City but none resulted in me facing a low clearance that I couldn't get under. The GPS routed me to a low bridge in Vestal, NY once that had no advance warning signs, and a white 12'9" sign on the bridge itself. As I was backing 1/2 mile to the closest turn off, a cab driver stopped me and said I would fit. "I used to have my CDL, I drove trucks under there all the time, you'll fit!". Used to have your CDL and now driving a cab. Yeah, I'll back out and go around, thanks.

 

It would certainly help if New York could join the rest of the country in properly marking their overpasses. You don't know whether to believe the signs or not. It can be especially disconcerting for a new driver who has never driven in NYC or the burrows. One thing that New York needs to do is give more warning to routes. Traffic can be difficult around New York and if you are not familiar with the routes, it can be easy to miss a road. I used to go to Long Island at least once a month. It could be a nightmare getting to you destination unless you were familiar with the roads, especially with all the road construction.

 

20 across NY from genesco to buffalo has a 12'6 that we go under all of the time

 

Rules for overpass markings in NY are simple:

Yellow sign - add 12 inches to get the actual clearance

White sign - Believe it, because it IS the actual clearance.

Remember that if there is snow or ice on the road, all bets are off on clearances.

If an exit says NO TRUCKS, it's NOT because they're worried about noise pollution. Stay out of there.

If you see a sign that says LOCAL TRUCK ROUTE, don't automatically assume that you can drag your 53' long 13'6" high 102" wide trailer through there. Sometimes you shouldn't. Ask me how I know.

Stay to the center of the roadway, that will usually be the highest point. Some of the 'low clearance' signs denote the lowest clearance of the gusset plates at the support columns.