Bridge Clearance

[mahon1993]

I remember a clearance sign on a bridge in Ohio. Some one must of had a sense of humor about it. It said 32 feet. And yes, the bridge was at least 32 feet up there.
Greg

[mrblanche]

Actually, the highest you can be and go in all states legally is 13'6". I've trucked so long that going under anything lower than that, even in my car, makes me duck my head.

In a couple of states (most notably New York state), there is an "allowance" built into the posted bridge heights. If a bridge says 12'6" in New York, it's actually 13'6"... unless it says, clearly "actual clearance." If you see a sign that says "12'6" Statutory Clearance," that means that it's 13'6".

The one city you are most likely to have trouble in is Chicago, which has low bridges all over the place. There is actually a number truckers can call for routing into their destination.

[mahon1993]

In nothern states I think they add 2 or 3 inches to the posted bridge height to allow for snow on the raodway in the winter.
Greg

[Joe O'Melia]

Don't count on any extra clearance, the note attached to my dash is actual +3" and I get nervous, as a retired bridge engineer, if sign and the note is close or the same. Stuff happens and signs sometimes disappear or the road was repaved and the sign has not been changed. So keep you eyes open, a rv will not win in a encounter with a bridge.

Interstate bridges should be signed less than 16'-6" and others 14'-6" and advance signs at a point of decision

[billyb]

i know in pa, there are a lot of unmarked low bridges on the back roads. they just don't mark them for some reason.

[Our Time]

Don't take for granted the height your owners manual says the coach is. Our Diplomat manual says it is 13' 5", but after airing up the suspension to ride height and measuring it in 3 different locations it is only 12' 5". Don't forget to measure at the ladder and sat dish if so equipped. Highest point on our coach was the ladder before we added the dish.

[EasyDoesIt]

I use MS Streets and Trips for planning and Navigation. I download the low clearance from POI factory and convert it to CSV using a downloaded converter. I then edit it for the height of my coach, deleting any entries that are higher.