The results of a statewide commercial vehicle enforcement campaign conducted by the New York State Thruway Authority designed to reduce bridge strikes caused by overheight vehicles and enhance the safety of all vehicles using the Thruway have been released. The enforcement initiative was conducted in partnership with the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (CVEU).
During October, November, and December, 30 enforcement details were held in various regions along the Thruway leading to 7,301 violations issued including 31 for overheight vehicles.
Since 2020, there have been 231 bridge hits reported on the New York State Thruway’s 570-mile system, including 56 reported bridge strikes in 2024. One of the most serious incidents included the South Broadway overpass in South Nyack, which was struck by an overheight tractor-trailer on August 31, 2023. Due to the hit, all southbound lanes of I-87/I-287 were closed for 15 hours on Sept. 9 to facilitate the removal of two damaged girders to stabilize the overpass.
Since 2020, the three bridges on the NYS Thruway that have been hit the most are:
- Middle Black Brook Road at milepost 318.57 over I-90 in Seneca County. It has been hit 31 times – 16 times since 2023.
- North Grand Island Bridge Northbound on I-190 over the Niagara Scenic Parkway in Niagara County. It has been hit 23 times with eight hits in 2024 to date.
- South Broadway over I-87 at milepost 16.44 in Rockland County. It has been hit 14 times with three hits to date in 2024.
Bridge strikes are an issue that every state has to deal with, and over the last several years, the Thruway Authority and the State of New York have implemented measures and are using technologies aimed at preventing these incidents. The Thruway Authority’s multi-pronged approach includes:
- Education: Working with commercial operators to facilitate special hauling permits because the responsibility lies with them. Each driver is required to know the rules of the road – similar to the speed limit and other driving rules.
- Signage and Awareness Campaigns – Utilizing awareness campaigns such as ‘Know Your Height’ on multiple platforms such as digital highway message boards, social media and the Thruway Authority’s website.
- Enforcement – Partnering with New York State Police and their Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit to carry out enforcement operations.
- Increased Claims Recovery Efforts – The Thruway Authority’s Claims Unit recovered approximately $9.4 million in 2024. For the past several years, the Authority has increased its vigilance in pursuing claims from motorists who damage Thruway property. The Claims Unit processes more than 1,000 property and equipment damage claims per year.
- Ongoing Research – The Authority is constantly looking for ways to enhance communications and enforcement efforts through technology, partnerships, etc.
OVERHEIGHT VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM INSTALLED IN CENTRAL NEW YORK
By leveraging technology, the Thruway Authority launched a pilot program to install and implement an overheight vehicle detection system at two locations in Central New York. The systems were installed and activated in December 2024 at the Parking/Rest Areas located on I-90 eastbound at milepost 250 between exit 33 (Verona-Rome) and exit 32 (Westmoreland – Rome) and I-90 westbound at milepost 256 between exit 33 (Verona-Rome) and exit 34 (Canastota-Chittenango-Cazenovia-Oneida). When an overheight vehicle drives past the sensors, it triggers the system and a sign is illuminated warning the driver that their vehicle is overheight.
The New York State Thruway is part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Interstate Highway System and was originally built in the 1950s to the design standards of the time. The Authority maintains 817 bridges, many of which are original to the Thruway system when the minimum vertical clearance at that time was 14.2 feet. The Authority continues to improve various features such as vertical clearance when feasible and for any new bridge, the minimum vertical clearance is 16 feet.
According to NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law, the height of a vehicle from under side of the tire to the top of the vehicle, inclusive of load, shall be not more than 13 feet, 6 inches. For anything above 13 feet, 6 inches, a Special Hauling Permit application is required for consideration to travel on the Thruway.
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