The New York State Thruway Authority has released the findings from a comprehensive state-wide enforcement campaign targeting commercial vehicle violations across its 570-mile-long highway system. This initiative specifically aimed to reduce bridge strikes caused by over-height trucks.
Results of the Enforcement Campaign
Carried out in collaboration with the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, the campaign spanned October through December. Over the course of 30 separate enforcement operations conducted throughout various regions of the Thruway, authorities issued 7,301 violations, including 31 citations for over-height vehicles.
Here’s a detailed summary of the fourth quarter outcomes:
- Commercial vehicle inspections conducted: 3,767
- Vehicles taken out of service: 997
- Tickets issued: 7,301
These inspections were held statewide, across all four Thruway Authority Maintenance Divisions.
Frank G. Hoare, Executive Director of the Thruway Authority, commented on the importance of this effort, stating, “Bridge hits on the Thruway system are a safety issue and can cause considerable damage to our infrastructure resulting in countless delays for motorists and the diverting of critical resources from highway maintenance and upkeep. The law requires drivers to know the height of their vehicle to mitigate these avoidable incidents and with the increasing number of trucks on the roads, it’s incumbent upon drivers to be vigilant to keep traffic moving.”
A Persistent Infrastructure Challenge
Since 2020, 231 bridge strikes have been recorded across the Thruway, with 56 incidents reported in 2024 alone. One notable event occurred on August 31, 2023, when an over-height tractor-trailer collided with the South Broadway overpass in South Nyack. Following the impact, southbound lanes on I-87/I-287 were closed for approximately 15 hours on September 9, 2023, to remove two damaged girders and stabilize the structure.
The Most Frequently Hit Bridges
Records show that certain bridges experience repeated collisions by over-height vehicles. The top three most affected structures on the New York State Thruway are:
- Middle Black Brook Road Bridge (Seneca County, I-90, Milepost 318.57)
- Total hits since 2020: 31
- Hits since 2023: 16
- North Grand Island Bridge Northbound (Niagara County, I-190)
- Total hits since 2020: 23
- Hits in 2024 alone: 8
- South Broadway Overpass (Rockland County, I-87, Milepost 16.44)
- Total hits since 2020: 14
- Hits in 2024 alone: 3
Know the Rules on Vehicle Height
New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law specifies that the maximum height for vehicles, including any load, must not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches. For vehicles exceeding this height, operators must apply for a Special Hauling Permit to travel on the Thruway.
Source: Truckers News
