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Truck and Commercial Vehicle Information

Updated Apr 21, 2021

This page is designed to provide commercial operators with information about MTA Bridges and Tunnels rules and regulations at our crossings. Our facilities are the Bronx-Whitestone, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial, Henry Hudson, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial, Throgs Neck, Robert F. Kennedy and Verrazzano-Narrows bridges, as well as the Queens Midtown Tunnel and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.

Note that trucks are not permitted across the Henry Hudson Bridge at any time.

Weight Restrictions

All vehicles must follow the New York State Bridge Formula and cannot exceed 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) at any MTA Bridges and Tunnels crossing, with the exception of vehicles that have certain permits at the Throgs Neck Bridge. Please see Throgs Neck Bridge section below.

For more detailed information on the New York State Bridge Formula, please visit the New York State DOT Overweight Vehicle Information, and scroll to the bottom of the first page.

Rules and regulations governing weight restrictions

Height Restrictions

  • Queens Midtown Tunnel – 12 ft 1 in.
  • Hugh L. Carey Tunnel – 12 ft 1 in.
  • Verrazzano Narrows Bridge
    • Lower Level – 14 ft 5 in.
    • Upper Level – 15 ft
  • Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
    • Harlem River Lift Span (Manhattan) – 13 ft 10 in.
    • Bronx Truss & Queens Suspended Spans – 14 ft 6 in.
  • Bronx Whitestone Bridge – 14 ft 6 in.
  • Throgs Neck Bridge – 15 ft
  • Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge – 13 ft 6 in.
  • Marine Parkway – Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge – 13 ft
  • Henry Hudson Bridge – 12 ft

Rules and regulations governing height restrictions

Hazardous Material Restrictions

For information regarding MTA vehicle dimension and hazardous material regulations, please click on the following links:

MTA Vehicle Dimensions (All vehicles not in compliance for dimensions must call phone number of facility listed above.)

MTA Hazardous Materials Regulations (Please note: The transportation of all hazardous materials is prohibited at the Queens Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnels.)

Rules and regulations governing hazardous materials restrictions

 

Procedures for Overweight Vehicles

There are now separate procedures for overweight trucks carrying non-divisible and divisible loads as set forth below.  Please note that MTA permits are only valid on MTA facilities and do not apply to travel routes under city and state jurisdiction, which have separate permits. Be aware that for the safety of all our customers, Bridges and Tunnels officers at MTA facilities perform routine checks on trucks. Drivers who do not comply with MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ rules face fines that may exceed $10,000.

Non-Divisible Loads

  • Vehicles carrying non-divisible loads that are more than 80,000 lbs
  • GVW and vehicles that are less than 80,000 lbs but are not in compliance with the State Bridge Formula must obtain a daily over-dimensional permit from the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) before attempting to cross any MTA Bridges and Tunnels facility. No separate MTA permit will be issued in conjunction with a NYCDOT permit for non-divisible loads.

How to obtain a NYCDOT permit

If you prefer, you can contact City DOT at the following address or phone number:

New York City Department of Transportation
Bridges - Truck Unit
55 Water Street,
New York NY 10041
Tel: (212) 839-6341

Divisible Loads

  • Vehicles carrying Divisible Loads that are more than 80,000 lbs, except as noted below under Throgs Neck Bridge.
  • GVW and vehicles that are less than 80,000 lbs but are not in compliance with the State Bridge Formula must obtain a Divisible Load Permit from the MTA before attempting to cross any MTA Bridges and Tunnels facility.

Please note that except as stated under Throgs Neck Bridge, City and State Divisible Load Permits are not valid on MTA crossings. MTA permits are required.

Application form (fillable PDF) for customers applying for a Divisible Load Permit

For further information on obtaining Special Handling Permits send an e-mail to cpo@mtabt.org or call 212-360-3000 or fax 646-252-7135 (Please note that these numbers and e-mail address replace individual facility numbers.)

Throgs Neck Bridge

  • Trucks with six or seven axles not exceeding 105,000 lbs.
  • GVW with valid City or State Divisible Load Permits and 5-axle trucks not exceeding 102,000 lbs.
  • GVW with valid milk hauling permits are the only divisible loads allowed to cross the Throgs Neck Bridge. They must use the center lane at all times at speeds of no more than 30 mph. This permission may be revoked at any time and for any reason.
  • Trucks with GVW of 80,000 lbs or less, and trucks in compliance with the New York State Bridge Formula, must also travel in the center lane at speeds of no more than 30 mph on the Throgs Neck Bridge.

No other trucks carrying divisible loads are allowed on the Throgs Neck.