New York State is located in the North-Eastern United States. New York State has a GDP of over $1.5T, making it the 4th largest economy in the United States, producing 8% of the total US GDP. The state was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States and the biggest city is the state is New York City. New York State has 20 million residents, making it the #4th largest state after California, Texas, and Florida.
New York City: The Biggest City
The New York City area is the largest urban center in the United States and nearly 2/3’s of the state’s population resides in the NYC Metropolitan Area. NYC is considered the largest metropolitan area in the world by size. New York was named after the English Duke of York in the 17th century. As the most populous city in the country, New York currently has 8.24 million inhabitants in the urban core. The city attracts immigrants from all over the world and it’s the largest destination for all legal migration into the United States.
New York is rated an Alpha+++ global city and houses many international organizations such as the United Nations. It is home to the financial center of the world – Wall Street and considered the most economically powerful city in the world. New York State is governed from Albany, NY where the state governor resides. Other populous cities in the state include Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse.
Trucking Industry In New York State
New York State has a large trucking industry and every 27th person in the state is employed in the trucking sector. Trucking currently employs nearly 300,000 New York residents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that people in the industry receive wages to the tune of $14B a year. In New York, there are currently 38,500 registered trucking companies.
Most trucking companies in New York Sate are small family-owned businesses. The small companies help connect the state by hauling cargo between the biggest ports and local businesses. Nearly 90% of all transport in the state is transported by trucks which currently haul 1.5M tons per day in the state only. New York State is reliant on trucking to move almost 90% of goods in the state.
Trucking Industry Statistics: New York
The following are the most important states for trucking in New York State:
Port Of New York & New Jersey
New York State is closed off by land borders and freshwater lakes in the north, meaning all international cargo ports pass through the southern tip in NYC bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. The largest port in the state is the joint “Port of New York and New Jersey” port which is a port district in itself. Almost 100% of all international cargo in NY transits through this port’s numerous terminals.
The Port of New York and New Jersey encompasses a 25-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. This includes all the navigable motorways between the states of New York and New Jersey, running along a shoreline of roughly 650 miles. The port also includes the regional rail, roadway, and airport distribution networks.
The Port of New York & New Jersey is one of the largest ports in the world and the biggest on the East Coast. It is currently the #3rd biggest port in the United States after Port of Louisiana and Port of Houston. The port is the largest in the state and part of it serves as a gateway for international flight and air freight.
Currently, there are two FTZ’s (Foreign Trade Zones) located on the port. The port transports 32 million tons of cargo each year and almost 5000 ships enter the port for unloading and offloading per year. Most goods and merchandise arriving from international destinations in the State of New York arrive from this port.
Port of Albany–Rensselaer
The Port of Albany-Rensselaer is a smaller port located in the capital of the state Albany. The port is called “Port of Albany†and it’s mostly used for river transport of goods for the local market in the state of New York. The port has facilities on the Hudson River in the towns of Albany and Rensselaer. It is one of the oldest ports in the US. The port was constructed in the 17th century and once shipping increases it was expanded in 1975 using public funds.
During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt reinvented the port. The port used to have the largest grain elevator in the world. Today, the same grain elevator is the largest east of the Mississippi River and has the biggest harbor crane in the state. The annual cargo tonnage exceeds 7.5M tons.
Other (much smaller) ports in the state of New York include:
Major Cities And Roadways In New York State
The following is a list of the largest cities in the state of New York by population size:
New York State has a road network of 31 interstate highways. Of the total number of highways, there are 9 main highways connecting major cities and 22 auxiliary highways. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) owns and maintains the highways (with few exceptions).Â
New York State has a combined Interstate Highway coverage of 1,673 miles connecting all cities in the state. The Interstate Network facilitates approximately 20% of the state’s traffic volume. The longest highway in the state is the I-90, extending 385 miles from an entry point in Pennsylvania and all the way to Massachusetts. The shortest highway in the state is the I-78 which is essentially a tunnel connecting Manhattan to New Jersey. The shortest active drive is located in Queens – I-878 with 0.7 miles total.
The NYSDOT maintains most roads in the state while certain local authorities may take over the maintenance procedures if necessary. The New York State Thruway Authority manages specific parts of major highways such as the I-87 and the I-90 due to the fact they belong to their system.
Length, Weight, Height, and Width Restrictions In New York State
According to data derived by the New York State Department of Transportation, the following are the main legal dimensions allowed for all trucks in New York State:
Length:
Note: If the truck length exceeds 48′, the truck must have kingpin settings of 43′ from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle.
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Warning: The NYSDOT may fine all carriers cited by law enforcement on the roads for violations in regard to over-dimensional and overweight cargo. The NYSDOT directly mails notification letters to all violators regardless of how severe the fine is. Once the carrier receives a ‘Notice of Violation’, they are required to appear at a department hearing under the presence of a judge.
The violation may lead to suspension of permitting privileges or other actions. This is why to avoid getting in trouble with the law all carriers must ensure they collaborate with the New York State Department Oversize Permit Program in order to comply with all state regulations. We at Freedom Heavy Haul obtain all permits for our clients, regardless of the load size.
Oversize Permits In New York State
New York State issues permit within 5 days for regular loads and 14 days for Super Loads. Permits allow a vehicle to transit on New York State territory for a specific amount of time. Permits are not only required for truck carriers but the state may deem them necessary for modular homes and other oversize vehicles. Note: New York City requires a special permit and the duration for the NYC permit is only valid for several hours since it’s issued. NYC-specific permits can be issued for the day or night time, depending on the dimension and route in question. Permits issued by the New York Thruway last 2 days on average.
Bans On Travel: NYS permissible hauling days are every business day, Monday through Friday, during daylight hours. The time between daylight and sundown and calculated as half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset (if the weather conditions are good). Travel is completely banned at night hours unless the permit specifies the carrier is allowed to travel at night. Saturdays and Sundays are banned. Other bans apply on holidays such as New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Signs Necessary: In NYS, all trucks carrying oversized loads must be marked with an “Oversize Load” sign which is displayed at the front and rear of the truck. Moreover, oversize trucks must be marked with red and orange fluorescent flags which are mounted on staffs. These markers are required at all corners of the extremities of the trailer. If the truck travels at night, they are required to use amber warning lights at the front and red warning lights at the rear.
DIMENSIONS IN NEW YORK
All oversized and over-dimensional trucks exceeding the following dimensions have to obtain a permit at the NSYDOT:
Width:
Length:
Weight:
Overweight loads that are NOT over-dimensional may be allowed to transit according to New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law as long as the weight does not exceed 125% of the legal limit and they are not restricted to certain travel days.
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS IN NEW YORK
The following are limits on oversized permits issued by the State of New York:
Length:
Overhang:
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Based on Axle Weights:
New York City Permits: In NYC, special permits are required to transit through the City due to increased danger. Truckers are advised to bypass NYC entirely as the restrictions are numerous and the permits are more expensive than regular state permits. The permits are also issued for several hours at a time – day or night, depending on the cargo volume involved.
All cargo exceeding 80,000 lbs will have to travel at night and a route survey will be required to get the permit. In some cases, smaller loads may require night travel. Special permits may be required for bridges going to NYC. All trucks with a width exceeding 10′ will have to travel at night.
Super Load Considerations
In New York State, a “Super Load” is any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds 16′ in width and height and 160′ in length. In terms of weight, a Super Load is deemed any weight surpassing 200,000 pounds. If the truck qualifies for any of the aforementioned, it has to be applied for as a Super Load.
New York State can issue special Super Load permits but due to the danger these vehicles pose to public health, the permits require a thorough review process and documentation. Expect at least 2 weeks of processing for a Super Load permit.
Equipment Auction Houses in New York
We at Freedom Heavy Haul help our clients haul the heaviest industrial machinery and equipment from all auction houses in the state of New York. The most prominent auction houses in New York are the following:
Equipment Rental Centers in New York
Need help transporting your equipment from an equipment rental center in New York? Give us a call and we’ll sort it out for you! The most influential equipment rental centers in New York are the following:
RGN Trailers Servicing in New York
If your RGN trailers are in need of servicing, only hire experienced companies that have a track record in providing reliability and high customer satisfaction. Here’s a list of the top RGN trailer services in New York State: