Reader Mail: Shop Rite semi drivers
01
May
This installment is about the giant rigs bringing in that delicious food we so crave at the local Shop Rite supermarket. You thought driving a car or even SUV is tough in Hoboken? Try driving a tractor trailer, even in the “somewhat less” populated NW area of town.
A 411 reader writes:
Hoboken 411 -
I have some concerns about the Shop Rite delivery semis that use the truck route, especially as they turn down 9th from Monroe Street.
I’ve lived in Fields Crossing for 9 months and I’ve lost count of the number of wing mirrors I walk past on 9th Street out side the Talk of the Town video store - I’ve counted at least 20 and personally seen more 10 semis get trapped on that street.
Only this morning, I saw a couple arrive at their care to find the entire left side of their car with a scrap back to front on it and the roof nearly severed off on the front left hand side - the girl just sat at the side of the street and cried!!!!
Shop Rite should be held accountable! Put a camera up there to catch the drivers or ban parking on that street!!!
The car in question had already left before I had a chance to snap a photo (I guess to go to the shop!)
Here’s some general pictures of the street in question - the semis can never turn down the street or out the other end without hitting something. The street was quite quiet, but I’ll look out for some more evidence of damage - I’m sure it won’t be long!
1. gmac17 | May 1st, 2007 at 9:48 am
“Stop whining” comments coming in 3-2-1….
I totally agree - the most logical solution is to ban parking - but that takes 20 spots off the streets. Shoprite should have to pay to take these spots off the streets.
Cameras probably won’t do any good - who is actually going to call up the trucking company and get them to pay…sounds good but not practical.
2. miguelsmith80 | May 1st, 2007 at 9:51 am
Same thing happened to me. I was parked near the corner of 11th and Jefferson. It was the last legal spot before the nonexistant crosswalk. Whole side of the car scraped, bumper torn off, mirror broken. The driver left a note which was torn by wind. I thought it was a hit and run, but their insurance contacted me two months later. I’m not sure what can be done about it- they’ve got to deliver their food… but of course it was a HUGE hassle.
3. matt_72 | May 1st, 2007 at 10:24 am
The solution is simple - they can use a 20 foot truck instead of a semi w/ a 40 foot trailer. Most businesses that operate in NYC use smaller trucks for deliveries b/c it is too difficult to navigate a city with a big rig. The Shop Rite distribution facility is pretty close by so they could just run more trucks all frigging day long if need be. It will be more expensive but it will also cut down on all complaints from car owners in town who get their cars all banged up b/c they are too lazy to use smaller vehicles that are capable turning corners without totalling every car in sight.
4. westy | May 1st, 2007 at 10:26 am
It will only get worse.
When all the high rises go up on that corner and down the block the streets will be packed with cars.
So as bad as it is now, it is going to get much worse.
5. moe | May 1st, 2007 at 10:30 am
Actually, the easiest thing to do would be to follow the state law and not allow parking near the corners.
6. whewwhewwhew | May 1st, 2007 at 10:33 am
Hey if a few scratched cars result in getting my Cheese Itz and Birch Beer than so be. Why was this dopey girl crying because her car got scratched? It is a piece of metal… big deal. You could be like John Corzine.
7. matt_72 | May 1st, 2007 at 10:34 am
The people getting banged up are not all that close to the corner and most are parked legally. As for the lack of parking up there - that starts when the theater opens - no need to wait for more condos.
8. leigh859 | May 1st, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Not a lot of sympathy on this one. If you park en route to a loading dock, you end up interacting with trucks.
It’s a rough deal, but at least you can *see* this problem if you’re savvy. I noticed there are no “Area Floods” signs anywhere in Hoboken, but good luck if you accidentally park on a flood-prone street.
9. Cracker | May 2nd, 2007 at 10:06 am
Maybe you just can’t take living here.
If you don’t like it nobody is keeping you here, MOVE!
10. matt_72 | May 2nd, 2007 at 10:46 am
Cracker - I would think you would want smaller trucks driving by on that road. Don’t they wake you up all the time? I thought you lived in one of those little plywood condos over there on the hillside.
As for where people park - I have seen people who park blocks away from Shop Rite get all messed up b/c some idiot truck driver turned on the wrong road. The folks getting hit don’t necessarily park next to a loading dock (or even in sight of one).
11. mtvhobo | May 2nd, 2007 at 11:23 am
Forgot about the parked cars, 95% of the truck drivers can’t make that turn in one clean motion if the street is empty. It reminds me of Austin Powers doing the cart u-turn in the hall at Virtucon. Just check out the broken curb and tire marks all over the sidewalk.
Once that complex goes in, there will be major problems. They’ll need to widen street, use smaller trucks or even build a super tunnel to route 3. Maybe even airlift supplies into Shop Rite like a sub-saharan nation. Mayor Roberts could become a hoboken’s first war lord.