New York Overhead Clearances
- Thread starter redytrk
- Start date
pelicn
Veteran Expediter
In my opinion, when a state marks a clearance incorrectly they create more of a traffic hazard. I was rear ended in NYC because I slowed down for a so called "low clearance". 
Any professional driver, in a 13'6 vehicle, is going to hesitate when a clearance is marked 12' something!
Any professional driver, in a 13'6 vehicle, is going to hesitate when a clearance is marked 12' something!
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
You will find in New York most bridges are marked a foot low,some even more than that,its scarey sometimes,but so far in 30 years havent hit one yet
This is from the article redytrk pointed us to:
“The legal clearance shall be one foot less than the measured clearance,” reads the passage in New York’s Vehicle and Traffic law. “The measured clearance shall be the minimum height to the bridge or structure measured vertically from the traveled portion of the roadway. On bridges or structures having fourteen feet or more of measured clearance, no such signs shall be required.”
redytruk, people talk a lot about NY bridge clearance signs. This is the first time I have seen an official explaination about why the signs don't match the actual bridge clearances. Thank you for sharing this.
All hail Ron Pechtel! the retired truck driver who is raising the issue. New York's approach to bridge clearance signs is screwed up; idiotic, even. Just tell us what the true bridge clearance is like every other state in the union does.
“The legal clearance shall be one foot less than the measured clearance,” reads the passage in New York’s Vehicle and Traffic law. “The measured clearance shall be the minimum height to the bridge or structure measured vertically from the traveled portion of the roadway. On bridges or structures having fourteen feet or more of measured clearance, no such signs shall be required.”
redytruk, people talk a lot about NY bridge clearance signs. This is the first time I have seen an official explaination about why the signs don't match the actual bridge clearances. Thank you for sharing this.
All hail Ron Pechtel! the retired truck driver who is raising the issue. New York's approach to bridge clearance signs is screwed up; idiotic, even. Just tell us what the true bridge clearance is like every other state in the union does.
Here, here!! I second that! I've made it in and out without a problem, but there has been significant "pucker" involved.
Wingnut
Seasoned Expediter
As a New Yorker, I'll tell you what we're taught: the YELLOW low clearance signs are 100% accurate and the WHITE ones are 1 foot off. Reason: it's for the snow & ice clearance. Yup, it's downright dangerous and stupid but hey...that's our state & government officials 'hard' at work!
take this state and shove it.....
kangar0085
Seasoned Expediter
I was on the brooklyn queens expressway and I believe it said 12'2 in Yellow, and I went under it just fine.
DougTravels
Not a Member
Although not nearly as important, will they ever get the exit #'s to match the mile markers?
Exit numbers that match the mile markers? Shoot in CA there are many areas that don't even use exit numbers let alone ones that match the mile markers. Layoutshooter
mjolnir131
Veteran Expediter
does that include limited access US highways or just the red white and blues?
