Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge’s SUV Ban Hidden in Plain Sight

BklynBridge_1.jpg

It isn't just in California where SUV's are secretly banned from certain roadways. Right here in New York City, many SUVs are banned from the Brooklyn Bridge, but nobody seems to know it.

Following on a Slate article about a similar phenomenon in California that came to our attention on Tuesday, Streetsblog correspondent Jason Varone snapped pictures of the signs pointing out the three-ton weight limit on the Brooklyn Bridge. Guess what? Navigators and Escalades are over the limit. So are Chevy Surburbans, Dodge Durangos, GMC Yukons, Hummers, Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Mercedes M Class 320 and 500s, Toyota Land Cruisers and Sequoias, and Ford Expeditions, among other SUV models.

Coming as it does underneath a sign reading "No trucks or buses," most motorists undoubtedly assume that the 3-ton weight limit is meant to discourage trucks and buses only, not SUVs. And so they drive over it every day while the police, heavily present on a bridge that has been the target of foiled terrorist plots, fail to enforce the law.

As the decades have gone by, the number of people crossing the Brooklyn Bridge has decreased tremendously, but the weight of their stuff has gone up. One hopes the SUV owners stuck in traffic next time the bridge has to undergo the extra maintenance required by all that extra daily weight will pause for a moment of introspection and look in the rearview mirror when they wonder who's to blame.

The weight limit is posted on the Brooklyn entrance as well.

BklynBridge2.jpg

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday’s Headlines: City of Yes Edition

There was only one story yesterday: The embattled mayor succeeded in passing what might become the signature initiative of his one term. But there was other news, too.

November 22, 2024

Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’

The City Council took a crucial step towards passing City of Yes, but it also let low density areas opt out of much of the plan.

November 22, 2024

Five Ways New NYPD Boss Jessica Tisch Can Fix Our Dangerous Streets

If the Sanitation Commissioner wants to use her new position to make city streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, here's where she can start.

November 21, 2024

What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?

Too bad for Hizzoner that challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos and Zohran Mamdani — all Democrats — aren't on the Council. 

November 21, 2024
See all posts