12'6'" bridges

guest · Feb 21, 2006

My truck is 13' tall and bridge clearances are usually not a problem. However, I have noticed bridges at airports in new York and Chicago with clearances of 12'6", which I noticed before passing under them. I freaked out and got ready to hear the sounds of my Alumibunk being turned into Alumijunk, but I passed under okay.

What's the deal? Obviously these bridges are at least 13'.

On this topic, if you're ever going into Manhattan, don't go through the Lincoln Tunnel. The Lincoln Tunnel is 13' and if your truck is 13' you will have a scary trip. The cops will also write you a ticket and turn you around if your truck is one millimeter over 13'.

tec1959 · Feb 21, 2006

RE: 12'6'

Hello anytime your in the northeast and you see a height sign and it reads 12'6 or what ever height your really don't need to worry because if it don't say actural height then your ok.The north east states leave room for snow that maybe on the roadways.I hope this helps...

P.S. The Lincoln tunnel they will stop you if the alarms go off and they will if your over height by 1"....Plus they will give you a ticket even if you didn't know....

slowhand · Feb 21, 2006

Here's the way it was explained to me. In NY,they measure the bridge height from the top of the curb to the bottom of the bridge. Curb is 6" high. As many times I've been into the 5 boroughs,I still DUCK!! LOL LOL . Same in Buffalo,NY. 6" because of all the snow.

guest · Feb 22, 2006

Thanks for the information. I think it's dumb for a bridge sign to say anything other than the actual height of the bridge, but at least I know now.

Doggie Daddy · Feb 23, 2006

Mike,here is how it was explained to me by one of our drivers who lives in NYC. If the sign is yellow,it is giving you the extra room to allow for the snow buildup.If the clearance sign is in white,that is the actual clearance allowed. I hope this helps you,because it has been invaluable information to me.

Broompilot · Feb 24, 2006

Great Info. I hope this will also help you all. I noticed, while in MA, and NH this week a very odd curvexed mirrior pointing up from the lower mirrior bracket. I thought boy thats odd, than thinking about it, it was for the driver to slowly approach bridges so he could observe the top of the box and see how much room he has to spare.

Thus, I am going to Walmart to purchase a small mirrior that I will keep with my keys and junk in the box next to my seat for just that reason. Be carefull under those bridges, the extra time would be well worth it.

As for the loop in Chicago don't even try to go under those tracks next to I-94 except for way up town or enter from the South on Lake Shore, maybee Doggie Daddy has some better advice for Chicago bridges. Basicaly from just South of the Ballpark all the way up past McCormick.

Moot · Feb 24, 2006

I have driven trucks with convex mirrors mounted on the top bracket and aimed upward. I was told this enabled the driver to monitor exhaust from stacks for potential problems. The biggest problem was from overhead freeway lights reflecting into the cab. I remedied that by aiming the mirror straight up. My apologies to any pilots it may have bothered.
I would think that an overhead clearance would be difficult to judge through a convex mirror.

I would mount my C.B. antennas so the top was about 1 inch higher than my trailer height. Approaching a questionable clearance slowly, the antenna would hit first giving me time to react. On a straight truck that time would be less because the box is closer to the antenna.

Another option is a dummy antenna. A cheap fiberglass one set about 1 inch higher than your box. It can take a beating and won't effect radio.

Broompilot · Feb 25, 2006

This was on a Volvo cab over, day truck, straight truck. No Chrome pipes on this old machine, also no marks of bridges on the box either.

Crazynuff · Feb 25, 2006

RE: 12'6'

I used to run Queens a lot . I hit a bridge once but not exactly the bridge . I had cleared that bridge plenty of times before . What I hit was a piece of trailer wedged in the bridge where someone else had hit it .I wonder if I could have could have put in a claim against whoever it was that hit the bridge if I found out who it was .

Critter Truckin · Feb 25, 2006

All I know is that whatever moron built the roads/bridges in NYC is a godless liar!!! T-Hawk and I went thru NYC our first time together and nearly had a friggin coronary getting off Staten Island! Chances are, the signs lie. The only time they don't, is when it's a Parkway and we haven't even tried to consider that. But all I'm trying to say, is that none, NONE, of the trucks I've driven have any business making way under a 12' bridge, and we skated, SKATED, under a bridge on the Van Wyck heading to New England. Do that math!!!

cheri1122 · Feb 25, 2006

The Ohio Turnpike toll collector once charged me an extra $30 "overheight" fee, after my truck was parked for the weekend, collecting about 6" of snow on the trailer! By the time I got off the turnpike, it had blown off, but she said I'd triggered the overheight signal when I got on, & so was required to pay it. I gave the receipt to my carrier, with a note explaining that the fee was for relocating snow, from one area of Ohio to another, & let them fight with the Turnpike Authority.

geo · Apr 4, 2006

if you ever travel 278 in nyc stay to outside of highway as the inside to wall is narrow and short in over head, and crossing the gw stay in middle and go thru as it may be lower and or not but be safe any way

Turtle · Apr 5, 2006

RE: 12'6'

I didn't think commercial vehicles were allowed to pass through the tunnels into NYC, regardless of their height.

geo · Apr 5, 2006

RE: 12'6'

as long as you are under the height you may pass thru if you set off the bells you be ticket
trucks are not allowed on parkway

babs3361 · Apr 5, 2006

RE: 12'6'

NYC measures the height for cleareance from the center of hub which is approximatley 6 inches. Chicago measures height from ground cleareance so if it is under 13'6" which is what you usually need in a T/T don't try it in Chicago. Chicago has been digging out lowering the road so there is more over passes you can get under, But the rule of thumb in Chicago is if you miss your street don't expect to be able to get around the block