I Survived Hunts Point NYC, First Load In Over 2 Years. Most Stressed I Have Ever Been In My Entire Life. Anyone Go Through There?

This past week I got my first load, it was to the "Food Bank For New York City". At first, I said I was uncomfortable taking this load. Besides CDL school, I have not driven a truck in over 2 years. But they told me if I don't take it, it will be the only load until Monday... So hesitantly I took it, looking back in hindsight, I should have put my foot down on not going. Not worth the risk, I can go the rest of my life without seeing NYC ever again lol. People park in travel lanes, drive crazy, will go around you on the shoulder. Super tight turns where you have to force room, people trying to sell things standing in the middle of a crowded road where you gotta turn. GPS was going CRAZY, its a good GPS, Randy Mcnally that the company gave me. But it kept rerouting me constantly, or not knowing where I was at. I kept missing my turn, there is a tricky part on Food center drive where you turn into what looks like the oncoming lane on the other side of the median, but it isn't.

The worst part is, I was stuck on the George Washington Bridge over 2 hours. So even with running hard using all my hours, rarely stopping, the load was late. The receiver said it will be rescheduled for Tuesday, so the company had me bring the trailer back to the yard. I was worried I went through all that for nothing, but they told me I would still be paid for the miles I drove. Anyone else ever deliver here?

One thing is for sure, I will NEVER EVER accept any load going east of the George Washington Bridge ever again haha. But it was a confidence builder, I feel like if I can drive through that, I can handle any city. It was a dumb load to put me on, and I should of stuck with not going.

Also, does anyone know why in NYC, on the truck route there will be signs saying overpass height is 12'8 but normal semi's can fit under it? I stopped when I first saw it, and then I saw another big sleeper truck just go through.

Wow, talk about baptism by fire!

Tough assignment for anyone, let alone for a driver right out of the gate. But now you’ve been there, done that and survived the trip, I assume with your truck and trailer intact. Stand proud, man- that’s a great accomplishment in my opinion.

My company goes to Hunts Point, but it’s our only voluntary location. I haven’t volunteered yet but I’ve been across the GWB several times on my way to Connecticut. Other company drivers say it’s not too bad, but the ones who have told me this are all seasoned drivers. Kudos to you!

Harvest,

All bridges in NY state are marked a foot below actual clearance. I have gone thru this same scenario many times in my 44 year career. It is a real wake up call for sure. I don't know the reasoning behind this or at least just forgot why. Glad you survived Hunts Point too.

I don't know the reasoning behind this or at least just forgot why.

Navypoppop has forgotten more about trucking than most of us ever knew!

Someone in New York got the bright idea that bridge heights should be shown allowing for one foot of snow packed on the roadways. Ever since that bright decision, rookie truck drivers have been wetting their pants in panic when they approach an overpass.

I learn to drive there. That's extra fun

Anyone else ever deliver here?

I know Packrat has, I think Ryan did fairly recently. I also remember Turtle having something crazy like 5 stops in that area. When I had no seniority, I had to go to Bethpage in Long Island regularly. One of my first runs was my building in the Poconos to Newark to Bethpage. It was a 12 hour day and insanely stressful.

Also, does anyone know why in NYC, on the truck route there will be signs saying overpass height is 12'8 but normal semi's can fit under it?

Like the others, I have no idea and have heard a bunch of reasons. My rule is stay in the middle lane because the overpass arches make me nervous.

I Found it

This does not apply to the entire state. I’ve gone under bridges marked 13’8” and I’m not even sure I had a full 2” of clearance.

Harvest,

All bridges in NY state are marked a foot below actual clearance. I have gone thru this same scenario many times in my 44 year career. It is a real wake up call for sure. I don't know the reasoning behind this or at least just forgot why. Glad you survived Hunts Point too.

Also, does anyone know why in NYC, on the truck route there will be signs saying overpass height is 12'8 but normal semi's can fit under it? I stopped when I first saw it, and then I saw another big sleeper truck just go through.

Banks covered it, but here is the actual paragraph from the NYS vehicle and traffic laws:

Such department of transportation shall cause signs to be erected to inform persons of the legal overhead clearance for all bridges and elevated structures on highways under its jurisdiction. The legal clearance shall be one foot less than the measured clearance. 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.

This being said, it should be taken with a grain of salt. In NY city, you'll probably be fine assuming the bridge heights are actually a foot higher than posted. Upstate can be a different story. OldSchool seemed to scoff, but snow pack is a real thing in a lot of the state. Also, never know when a road was resurfaced raising it's height. Personal story, I'm a local driver who delivers all over the western part of the state with an 11'11" high trailer, the top of my ladder being the highest point. Two A.M. one night at a 12'1" marked bridge, just for a peace of mind curiosity, I parked under the bridge and climbed my ladder. Should have had fourteen inches of clearance? There was only about six by my gauge pole. Long story short, I don't drive under bridges marked less than twelve feet. I actually know two twelve foot bridges in the state I don't fit under. Just because all marked bridges in the state should be a foot higher than marked, doesn't mean they are.

Don't ask about white versus yellow signs, either.

Wow, talk about baptism by fire!

Tough assignment for anyone, let alone for a driver right out of the gate. But now you’ve been there, done that and survived the trip, I assume with your truck and trailer intact. Stand proud, man- that’s a great accomplishment in my opinion.

My company goes to Hunts Point, but it’s our only voluntary location. I haven’t volunteered yet but I’ve been across the GWB several times on my way to Connecticut. Other company drivers say it’s not too bad, but the ones who have told me this are all seasoned drivers. Kudos to you!

I may of murdered a few curbs, and honestly did hit one of those tall thin cone type things that was on a curb. But it stood back up right away so it was fine 😂. Honestly a STUPID oversight on my end was going into the city, I forgot to slide my tandems all the way forward. They were still set in the middle. I had to jug handle a few turns to make em, and just make sure not to hit the driver speeding around when I was doing it.

Leaving the city was also stressful, I got kinda lost. Traffic was bumper to bumper in the city at one point. There was a lady selling fruit standing in the middle of the road that had me stressed.

Also a NYPD officer was directing traffic at an intersection, dude waved me to come through like a "hurry up" wave. Good thing I was paying attention because 2 people walked right into the middle of the road in front of me. I was so tired at the end of the day I ended up actually paying for reserved parking at a TA 😂