New York City Truck Routes

Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx

New York City car accidents involving tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers or other heavy trucks can be particularly devastating for the occupants of other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. That’s part of the reason federal, state and local authorities heavily regulate the trucking industry.

Those regulations include truck routes through the five boroughs of New York City, as established by the NYC Department of Transportation. A trucker who fails to follow those routes could be liable if a wreck occurs.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New York truck accident, protect your rights by calling the New York City tractor-trailer accident injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, PC, for a consultation. There is no obligation, so call today at (212) 279-2000 or contact the firm through our online form.

New York City Truck Routes

Section 4-13 of the New York City Department of Transportation’s Traffic Rules establishes truck routes through all five boroughs of the city. The full text of the regulations is available online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/trafrule.pdf. Here are highlights of the regulations:

Section 4-13
TRUCK ROUTES

(a) General provisions.

1. Definitions. For the purpose of these rules, a truck is defined as any vehicle or combination of vehicles designed for the transportation of property, which has either of the following characteristics: two axles, six tires; or three or more axles
2. Exceptions. These rules do not apply to authorized emergency vehicles and authorized public utility company vehicles engaged in an emergency operation as defined in § 114-b of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
3. Enforcement. An operator of any truck as defined above shall have in his/her possession throughout each trip a bill of lading, or similar document, showing the points of origin and destination of the trip. Upon the request of a law enforcement officer or other authorized person, the truck operator shall present for inspection the above stated document or documents.

(b) Truck routing rules for the Borough of Queens

1. Through trucks. An operator of any truck as defined above, having neither an origin nor a destination within the Borough of Queens shall restrict the operation of such vehicle to those street segments on the following list. These are designated as "Through Truck Routes." All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.
2. Local Trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, with an origin or destination for the purpose of delivery, loading or servicing within the Borough of Queens, shall only operate such vehicle over the following listed streets, except that an operator may operate on a street not designated below for the purpose of arriving at his/her destination. This shall be accomplished by leaving a designated truck route at the intersection that is nearest and provides the most direct route to his/her destination, proceeding by the most direct route while observing existing street directions and turn restrictions, to his/her destination, proceeding by the most direct route, and then returning to the nearest designated truck route by the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the same immediate vicinity, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route, provided that the operator's next destination does not require that he/she cross a designated truck route. All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.

(c) Truck routing rules for the Borough of Staten Island.

1. Through trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, having neither an origin nor a destination within the Borough of Staten Island, shall restrict the operation of such vehicle to those street segments on the following list. These are designated as "Through Truck Routes." All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.
2. Local trucks.
   1. 2 axles, 6 tires. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, with 2 axles, 6 tires and having an origin or destination for the purpose of delivery, loading or servicing within the Borough of Staten Island, shall only operate such vehicle over the following listed "Local- Truck Routes" and "Limited Local-Truck Routes," except that an operator may drive on a street not designated below for the purpose of arriving at his/her destination. This shall be accomplished by leaving a designated truck route at the intersection which is nearest and provides the most direct route to his/her destination, proceeding by the most direct route while observing existing street directions and turn restrictions,, and then returning to the nearest designated truck route by the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the immediate vicinity, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route, provided that the operator's next destination does not require that he/she cross a designated truck route. All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.
   2. 3 or more axles. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, with 3 or more axles, and having an origin or destination for the purpose of delivery, loading or servicing within the Borough of Staten Island, shall only operate such vehicle over the following listed "Local Truck Routes," except under the conditions described in subparagraph (2)(i), above.

(d) Truck routing rules for the Borough of Manhattan.

• Through trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, having neither an origin nor a destination within the Borough of Manhattan, shall restrict the operation of such vehicle to those street segments designated on the following list as "Through Truck Routes." All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.
• Local trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, having an origin or destination for the purpose of delivery, loading or servicing within the Borough of Manhattan, shall restrict the operation of such vehicle to those street segments designated on the following list as "Local Truck Routes," except that an operator may operate on a street not designated below for the purpose of leaving his/her origin or arriving at his/her destination (subject to restrictions specified in §4-13(d)(3) through §4-13(d)(5) of these rules). This shall be accomplished by leaving a designated truck route at the intersection that is nearest and provides the most direct route to his/her destination, proceeding by the most direct route while observing existing street directions and turn restrictions,, and then returning to a designated truck route by the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the immediate vicinity, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route, provided that the operator's next destination does not require that he/she cross a designated truck route. All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.

(3) Limited truck zones.

1. Restrictions. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section, no operator of a truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall operate, enter, stop, stand or park his/her vehicle upon any of the streets designated on the following list as "Limited Truck Zones" except for the purpose of making a delivery, loading or servicing within said zone. This shall be accomplished by leaving a designated truck route at the intersection that is nearest and provides the most direct route to his/her destination, proceeding by the most direct route while observing existing street directions and turn restrictions, and then returning to the nearest designated truck route by the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the immediate vicinity, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route provided that the operator's next destination does not require that he/she cross a designated truck route.
2. Time Period. 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
3. Zones

Zone A - Chelsea
Bounded by the northern property line of 16th Street, the eastern property line of Ninth Avenue, the northern property line of 18th Street, the eastern property line of Tenth Avenue, the southern property line of 30th Street, the western property line of Eighth Avenue, the southern property line of 25th Street, the western property line of Seventh Avenue, the northern property line of 19th Street and the western property line of Eighth Avenue. Trucks passing completely through the designated area, or entering it for the purpose of reaching or leaving a street within these boundaries, are permitted to traverse 23rd Street, Eighth Avenue and Ninth Avenue only.

Zone B - Chinatown
Bounded by the northern property line of Worth Street, the eastern property line of Baxter Street, the southern property line of Canal Street, the western property line of the Bowery, and the western property line of Chatham Square.

Zone C - Greenwich Village
Bounded by the northern property line of Spring Street, the eastern property line of Varick Street, the eastern property line of Seventh Avenue South, the northern property line of Clarkson Street, the eastern property line of Hudson Street, the northern property line of Morton Street, the eastern property line of Washington Street, the southern property line of Gansevoort Street, the southern property line of 14th Street, the western property line of Avenue of the Americas, the southern property line of 12th Street, the western property line of University Place, the southern property line of 8th Street, the western property line of Mercer Street, the northern property line of Houston Street, and the western property line of West Broadway. Trucks passing completely through the designated area, or entering it for the purpose of reaching or leaving a street within these boundaries, are permitted to traverse Avenue of the Americas, Eighth Avenue, Eighth Street, Greenwich Avenue, Hudson Street (Northbound only), Seventh Avenue South, Varick Street and Houston Street only. Trucks with neither an origin nor a destination within Manhattan are restricted to Houston Street and Avenue of the Americas between Spring and Houston Streets only.

Zone D - Little Italy
Bounded by the northern property line of Canal Street, the eastern property line of Centre Street, the eastern property line of Cleveland Place, the eastern property line of Lafayette Street, the southern property line of Houston Street and the western property line of Bowery. Trucks passing completely through the designated area, or entering it for the purpose of reaching or leaving a street within these boundaries, are permitted to traverse Grand Street, Kenmare Street and Canal Street only. Trucks with neither an origin nor a destination within Manhattan are restricted to Canal Street only.

Zone E - Lower East Side
Bounded by the northern property line of Senator Robert F. Wagner Place, the eastern property line of St. James Place, the eastern property line of East Broadway, the southern property line of Montgomery Street, and the western property line of South Street. Trucks passing completely through the designated area, or entering it for the purpose of reaching or leaving a street within these boundaries, are permitted to traverse Pike Slip and Pike Street only.

(4) Special garment center rule.

1. Restrictions. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section, no operator of a truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall operate, enter, stop, stand or park his/her vehicle upon any of the streets included within the boundaries designated below except for the purpose of making a delivery, loading or servicing on said streets. An operator shall not enter a street within the designated boundaries for the sole purpose of gaining access to a designated truck route, or to an adjacent street within said boundaries.
2. Time Period. 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

1. Section 4-13
2. Boundaries. Bounded by the northern property line of 34th Street, the eastern property line of Eighth Avenue, the southern property line of 42nd Street and the western property line of Avenue of the Americas. Trucks passing completely through the designated area, or entering it for the purpose of reaching or leaving a street within these boundaries, are permitted to traverse Seventh Avenue and Broadway only.

(5) Operation of vehicles 33 feet or more in length restricted.
Notwithstanding the provisions of §§4-08(l)(2) and (3) and 4-13 of these rules, no operator of a vehicle or combination of vehicles used for the transportation of merchandise, having an overall length of 33 feet or more including load and bumpers, shall operate, enter, traverse, stop, stand, or park any such vehicle or combination of vehicles upon any of the streets included in the area bounded by the south property line of West 42nd Street, the west property line of 5th Avenue, the north property line of West 34th Street, and the east property line of 9th Avenue, all in the Borough of Manhattan, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and between 12 noon and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday inclusive, except that the operator of any such vehicle or combination of vehicles who has lawfully entered this area may allow such vehicle or combination of vehicles to remain therein while being expeditiously loaded or unloaded, but must remove same therefrom before 12 noon, and provided that any vehicle or combination of vehicles 33 feet or more in length may enter such area in order to reach an offstreet parking facility or terminal therein where such parking facility or terminal is sufficient in size to accommodate the vehicle or combination of vehicles, and where no waiting, loading, or unloading on the street by such vehicle or combination of vehicles will take place. Such vehicle or combination of vehicles may not stop between an entry point into the area and its destination for any purpose other than to conform with traffic rules.

(6) Special rules for vehicles 33 feet or more in length in the financial district and midtown core.

1. Financial district
   1. Time Period. 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.
   2. Restrictions. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (a), (d)(1) and (d) (2) of this section, no operator of a vehicle having an overall length of 33 feet or more shall enter his/her vehicle upon any of the streets included within the boundaries designated below.
   3. Exceptions. Trucks having an overall length of 33 feet or more whose operator has in his/her possession a special permit issued by the Department of Transportation.
   4. Boundaries. Bounded by the eastern property line of Whitehall Street, the eastern property line of Broadway, the eastern property line of Park Row, the southern property line of Frankfort Street, the western property line of Pearl Street, and the western property line of Water Street.
2. Midtown core
1. Time period. 12:00 Noon to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday
2. Restrictions. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (d)(1), through (d)(4) of this section, no operator of a vehicle having an overall length of 33 feet or more shall enter his/her vehicle upon any of the streets included within the boundaries designated below.
3. Exceptions. Vehicles having an overall length of 33 feet or more whose operator has in his/her possession a special permit issued by the Department of Transportation.
4. Boundaries. Bounded by the northern property line of 42nd Street, the eastern property line of Seventh Avenue, the southern property line of Central Park South, the southern property line of 59th Street, and the western property line of Third Avenue.
   1. Trucks having an overall length of 33 feet or more passing completely through the designated area are permitted to traverse 57th Street and Lexington Avenue only.

(e) Truck routing rules for the Borough of Brooklyn.

1. Through trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, having neither an origin nor a destination within the Borough of Brooklyn, shall restrict the operation of such vehicle to those street segments on the following list. These are designated as "Through Truck Routes." All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.
2. Local trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, with an origin or destination for the purpose of delivery, loading or servicing within the Borough of Brooklyn, may only operate such vehicle over the following listed streets, except that an operator may operate on a street not designated below for the purpose of arriving at his/her destination. This shall be accomplished by leaving a designated truck route at the intersection that is nearest and provides the most direct route to his/her destination, proceeding by the most direct route while observing existing street directions and turn restrictions, and then returning to the nearest designated truck route by the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the immediate vicinity, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route, provided that the operator's next destination does not require that he/she cross a designated truck route. All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.

1. (f) Truck routing rules for the Borough of the Bronx.
2. Through trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, having neither an origin nor a destination within the Borough of the Bronx, will restrict the operation of such vehicle to those street segments on the following list. These are designated as "Through Truck Routes." All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.
3. Local trucks. An operator of any truck as defined in paragraph (a)(1) above, with an origin or destination for the purpose of delivery, loading or servicing within the Borough of the Bronx, will only operate such vehicle over the following listed streets, except that an operator may operate on a street not designated below for the purpose of arriving at his/her destination. This shall be accomplished by leaving a designated truck route at the intersection that is nearest and provides the most direct route to his/her destination, proceeding by the most direct route while observing existing street directions and turn restrictions, and then returning to the nearest designated truck route by the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the immediate vicinity, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route, provided that the operator next destination does not require that he/she cross a designated truck route. All trucks must adhere to all posted signs indicating locations that limit the height of vehicles permitted to operate thereon.

Were You Hurt In A Truck Accident on Staten Island? Call Our New York City Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a New York City truck wreck and someone else was at fault, you could be entitled to compensation. The New York personal injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, PC, are skilled at evaluating traffic accident claims and have a track record of getting results for their clients. Call our firm today at (212) 279-2000 or use our online contact form for a free evaluation of your case.  

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