NYC Low-Clearance Bridges

New York City has more low-clearance bridge strikes per year than any other U.S. metro. Most are caused by trucks following consumer GPS onto parkways (all commercial-prohibited) or onto arterials with clearances below 13 ft 6 in. This guide covers the most common failure points and the truck-legal alternatives.

Parkways — always prohibited

The Hutchinson, Saw Mill River, Bronx River, Grand Central, Belt, Northern State, Southern State, Sprain Brook, and Cross County parkways prohibit all commercial vehicles. Signs are posted at every entrance. Enforcement is aggressive and clearances on these roads are frequently below 10 ft.

Notorious strike sites

The Third Avenue Bridge overpass on the FDR Drive, the Bruckner Boulevard overpass at 138th Street, Atlantic Avenue at 4th Avenue in Brooklyn, and numerous Belt Parkway bridges. Manhattan below 96th Street has scattered clearances at or below 12 ft.

Truck-legal Hudson crossings

George Washington Bridge (I-95) is the standard commercial route. Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel restrict hazmat and large combinations; verify before routing.

Truck-legal East River crossings

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (I-278) for Staten Island–Brooklyn. Brooklyn Bridge is prohibited for commercial vehicles. Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge have specific weight and hazmat restrictions — verify.

How to plan

Use a truck-specific routing engine that respects height, weight, and hazmat class. Dispatchtool navigation applies NYC parkway and tunnel exclusions automatically for Class 8 profiles.

Frequently asked

Why does my consumer GPS route me onto parkways?

Consumer GPS treats parkways as regular roads. They are not — they prohibit commercial vehicles and have low clearances. Always use a truck-specific navigation engine.

What is the fine for a bridge strike?

Beyond repair costs and citations, NYC will typically pursue civil recovery. Total exposure for a serious strike routinely exceeds $250,000.