Old NY 263

[cl94]

When the University at Buffalo's Amherst campus was constructed, NY 263 was removed from its original routing through what would be the campus and placed onto a new alignment that bypasses the built-up areas of campus. While two portions of the old routing were ripped out, five remain today, all of which are accessible by foot and four by car. As the aerial imagery shows, NY 263 ran on a straight alignment through what is now an arena and parking lots.

The southernmost section is part of Amherst Manor Drive, with the next portion, situated between NY 263 and Augspurger Road,  being used as a small parking lot. Moving north, St Rita's Lane is entirely located on Old NY 263, with the only reference marker I can find located at the intersection with Frontier Road.

Between Frontier Road and Ellicott Creek, the old alignment is closed to vehicular traffic, with the overlain concrete being occupied by a shared-use path. At multiple places, the original concrete is exposed. At Ellicott Creek, the path returns to its own alignment following the creek. The old NY 263 bridge across Ellicott Creek is located a short distance downstream of the new bridge. On the south side of the bridge, an old warning sign warned drivers of the bridge railing. A similar sign exists in the southbound direction at a culvert a short distance south of the creek.

Immediately north of the creek, the road reopens to vehicular traffic, ending at North Forest Road immediately south of where NY 263 goes back to the old alignment.

As the main, northern part of the old alignment is only ~3/4 miles long, it is easily walkable and goodies are plentiful for those willing to look. A short walk away is one of the oldest button copy signs left in Western NY (NB Audobon Parkway at Hamilton Entrance), which I'll try and get at some point.

[Zeffy]

Nice photos! I couldn't help but notice you used a smartphone camera, which kicks the shit out of my iPhone 5c's I guess... 

[cl94]

Nice photos! I couldn't help but notice you used a smartphone camera, which kicks the shit out of my iPhone 5c's I guess... 

Thanks. My camera is out of commission until I replace the battery, so my phone has to suffice.

[adventurernumber1]

Honestly I've taken some pretty good road photos on my iPhone5S (which I've had since December 2013). I'm restricted to it anyway since I don't have a professional camera.

[vdeane]

I will have to remember this for whenever I plan to get around to hosting a Buffalo/Niagara Falls meet.